Should the UK keep its East Jerusalem consulate open despite Israel’s order to close it?
As of 8 October 2026 the UK Consulate General building in East Jerusalem remains open but has been renamed the UK Mission, Jerusalem after Israel ordered its closure in retaliation for UK sanctions on West Bank settlements. Most diplomats including the consul general have left while a reduced team of seven continues limited operations serving Palestinians and supporting a two-state solution. The UK maintains East Jerusalem is occupied territory and disputes Israel's right to order the closure of its nearly 200-year-old mission.
20 Opinions
The uk should not be telling other countries what they can and can’t do. Israel told them to leave so they should. They can always open a consulate in Ramallah, but of course they won’t because they know Israel will keep them safe and secure in Jerusalem.
There's an election coming and we should be keeping our position as far as we can to keep contact and hopefully negotiate a better future for all there
No, overseas conflicts should not be our concerns. Times of British Empire are well past us. We should focus on domestic issues, living world policing for a new empires.
NO If they don't want us there, leave them to it. By that I mean stop all dialogue, trade and and any other form of cooperation & support.
We should apologise and ask for the consulate to be reopened, you don’t hurt those countries who are our friends, who help defend us and produce the items we need. Shooting yourself in the foot is a typical socialist trait . Supporting terrorists is an abomination
Let's not remove more scrutiny from Israel
Diplomatic FAFO
No. Close it and disengage. The Balfour Declaration was issued 109 years ago, and Britain cannot remain indefinitely entangled in a conflict neither side has resolved. Maintain essential diplomatic relations and consular protection through existing channels, but stop treating the Middle East as Britain's responsibility to manage. Our foreign policy must serve British interests, not perpetuate historic obligations or endless diplomatic disputes.
“Do stupid things, win stupid prizes” The consulate would be open if the Govt hadn’t sanctioned Israeli activity. What on earth did it expect to happen? The consulate was operating as an embassy to the palestinians, but from Jerusalem. Who would expect that Israel would do nothing? Only a moron. If Silliband wants an embassy to the palestinians he should open one in Ramallah. He might then actually learn something about reality for once..
The consulate should have been closed immediately after the government's appalling decision to reward Hamas by recognising Palestine. Open a consulate in Ramallah instead.