Jerusalem:British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband reaffirmed his country's stance that East Jerusalem is occupied territory and rejected an order from Israel to close the British Consulate General in Jerusalem.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, Miliband stated that the Israeli government lacks legal authority to close the consulate. Instead of closing, the consulate will be renamed the 'UK Mission in Jerusalem' and will continue its operations and engagement with the Palestinian people.
He also mentioned that Britain has temporarily withdrawn some consular staff and their families from Jerusalem for safety and security reasons.
Previously, the UK had imposed a ban on goods from Israeli settlements and sanctions on individuals and companies involved in settlement expansion. The British government has also criticized violence by settlers and the Israeli government's inadequate response, leading to Israel's decision to expel the British consul from Jerusalem.
Miliband emphasized Britain's opposition to settlements and reiterated the view that East Jerusalem is occupied territory, underlining the UK's commitment to working with the Palestinian people.