The United Kingdom has warned Israel that it could expel up to 27 Israeli diplomats if the country follows through on its decision to close the UK consulate in East Jerusalem.

In a move that could mark the lowest point in the two countries’ diplomatic relations, the UK foreign office said it would expel one Israeli diplomat for every British diplomat that Israel forces to leave. The figure of 27 comes from the number of British staff currently posted in Israel.

The threat follows a ban the UK imposed on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that Israel has condemned as illegal under international law. In response, the Israeli foreign ministry ordered the UK consulate in East Jerusalem to shut down later this week.

Diplomatic standoff over consulate closure

The consulate, situated on a street that cuts through the contested area of East Jerusalem, had long served as a hub for British citizens and a channel for diplomatic engagement. The decision to close it came after the UK’s sanctions were announced in September, a step that Israel said violated the right of the British people to maintain diplomatic presence in the city.

Potential expulsion of 27 Israeli diplomats

The UK’s statement was explicit: for each Israeli diplomat that leaves the UK, the British government will expel one from Israel. This could see as many as 27 Israeli diplomats forced out, a figure that mirrors the number of British diplomats currently stationed in Israel, including those in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

The UK has warned Israel that a diplomatic tit‑for‑tat could see 27 Israeli diplomats expelled.

Background of UK sanctions on settlements

The sanctions, introduced in September, targeted goods produced in Israeli settlements that the United Nations and the European Union consider illegal. The UK argued that the ban was a necessary step to align with international law and to pressure Israel to halt settlement expansion. Israel, however, viewed the move as an affront to its sovereignty and a breach of the bilateral trade agreement signed in 2016.

Reactions from both sides

The Israeli foreign ministry, in a statement that did not name the UK spokesperson, said the consulate closure was a “necessary measure” to protect the rights of the British diplomatic mission. It added that it would not tolerate any retaliatory expulsions that could undermine the diplomatic channel between the two nations.

The UK foreign office issued a brief reply, underscoring that the expulsions would be a “proportionate response” to Israel’s closure of the consulate. It also hinted that the decision would be revisited once the diplomatic crisis had been fully assessed.

Broader implications for Middle East stability

Analysts warn that the tit‑for‑tat could destabilise the delicate diplomatic balance in the region. The UK has long been a key partner for both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority, and a breakdown in relations could strain its support for peace talks.

Other countries with consular ties to Israel have expressed concern over the potential for a wider diplomatic rift. The European Union has urged both sides to seek a negotiated resolution, citing the importance of maintaining stable diplomatic channels in the volatile Middle East.

Until a clear path forward emerges, the diplomatic freeze is likely to persist. The next scheduled meeting between the UK and Israeli foreign ministers is set for late November, when officials are expected to discuss the feasibility of reopening the consulate and restoring normal diplomatic flows.