Israel does not have right to close UK consulate in Jerusalem, Foreign Office advised
Former UK Attorney General Dominic Grieve has advised the Foreign Office that Israel lacks the legal right to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem. This advice follows Israel's announcement that it will shut the mission in October in retaliation for the UK's ban on trade with Israeli settlements. Grieve argues that the UK should challenge the decision in court, asserting that Israel cannot impose sovereign control over occupied Palestinian territory.
- ▪Israel plans to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem on October 8 in response to the UK's ban on trade with goods from Israeli settlements.
- ▪Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve stated that Israel has no legal right to close the consulate because East Jerusalem is recognized as occupied Palestinian territory.
- ▪The UK mission in Jerusalem dates back to 1838 and operates separately from the embassy in Tel Aviv, covering Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.
- ▪Israel also announced it would revoke the credentials of Dutch diplomats following the Netherlands' ban on imports from illegal Israeli settlements.
- ▪Grieve advised that the UK government has a duty to oppose the closure and challenge the decision in the courts to prevent Israel from asserting unauthorized sovereign control.
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| Original publisher | The Guardian — UK |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/sep/28/israel-no-right-close-jerusalem-uk-consulate-foreign-office-advised |
| Publication time | Mon, 28 Sep 2026 11:28:12 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-09-28T11:31:07.657Z |
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Rightwing demonstrators outside the British consulate in East Jerusalem last week. Israel has said it intends to close it next month. Photograph: Ohad Zwigenberg/APView image in fullscreenRightwing demonstrators outside the British consulate in East Jerusalem last week. Israel has said it intends to close it next month. Photograph: Ohad Zwigenberg/APForeign policyIsrael does not have right to close UK consulate in Jerusalem, Foreign Office advisedFormer attorney general Dominic Grieve says Israel is not entitled to shut mission in occupied Palestinian territoryPatrick Wintour and Emma Graham-HarrisonMon 28 Sep 2026 07.28 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleIsrael does not have a legal right to act on its plan to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem, the former attorney general…
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