Israel tells British consulate in East Jerusalem to close within 30 days: report

Israel has told the British consulate in East Jerusalem ​that it must close and that diplomats assigned ‌there will lose their accreditation within 30 days, an Israeli official and two sources familiar with the matter said.

British representatives ​assigned to a US-led Gaza coordination mission in ​Israel, as well as British diplomats based in ⁠Ramallah, must leave within seven days, the two ​sources said.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Tuesday said Britain ​must close its consulate in East Jerusalem, which is accredited to the Palestinian Authority, in response to Britain imposing sanctions on Israeli ​settlements in the West Bank.

Joining Britain, France and ​Canada also said they would ban the import of goods from ‌settlements.

Israel’s ⁠government, which expected the sanctions, is set to meet on Wednesday to discuss its response to countries that also signed Britain’s action, said three sources familiar with ​the matter.

All ​sources spoke ⁠on the condition of anonymity.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not respond to a ​request for comment.

France and Sweden, which endorsed ​Britain’s ⁠action, also have consulates in Jerusalem accredited to the Palestinian Authority.

Israel has in the past forced the closure ⁠of diplomatic ​offices in Ramallah, the administrative ​capital of the Palestinian Authority. Canada has an office in Ramallah.