The United Kingdom (UK) has renamed its Consulate General in Jerusalem as the UK Mission, Jerusalem, following discussions with the Israeli government over the status of the diplomatic facility, according to Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband.
The move comes after the UK government rejected Israel’s legal authority to close the consulate, which has maintained a British presence in Jerusalem for nearly 200 years.
The UK reiterated its long-standing position that East Jerusalem is occupied territory under international law.
According to Miliband, the facility will remain open and the newly designated UK Mission, Jerusalem, will operate independently.
The mission will continue providing essential services and working with the Palestinian people, maintaining the UK’s diplomatic presence and its role in supporting a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The UK government also confirmed that it had temporarily withdrawn a number of staff and their families from the mission after failing to secure the necessary assurances regarding the safety and protection of its personnel and premises.
Miliband said the UK will work over the coming months to rebuild its diplomatic presence in Jerusalem.
The UK will not take reciprocal action against Israel while bilateral discussions are continuing and remain credible, Miliband said.
The UK government also reaffirmed its commitment to the measures announced on 8 September in coordination with the international community, saying they were intended to support a two-state solution and deliver peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
