Signage at UK consulate in East Jerusalem removed as Israel’s deadline over

The UK flag was still flying over the building.Thursday marks 30 days since Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar ordered the closure of the consulate in occupied East Jerusalem.

The move was in response to the UK’s wave of sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements, including a ban on importing goods made there.The United Nations and most countries consider the settlements illegal under international law.

Israel disputes this.The United Kingdom threatened to expel 27 Israeli diplomats if Israel proceeded to close the consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, according to unverified Israeli media reports.The consulate has not responded to an immediate request for comment.Israel has been adamant the consulate will close even as the UK has sought to keep it open, including sending the country’s top national security adviser to Israel last week for talks.The UK’s….

The closure order does not affect the UK’s embassy in Tel Aviv, which handles diplomatic relations with Israel’s government.The consulate, in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of occupied East Jerusalem, handles the UK’s relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, as well as in ‌the occupied West ⁠Bank and Gaza.

It also provides consular services to Palestinians.The UK Foreign Office on Wednesday declined to comment when asked whether the consulate was still operating or if diplomats working there had returned to the UK.Despite the current strains, the ⁠UK and Israel are close economic, security and intelligence partners.

Thursday marks 30 days since Israel's foreign minister ordered the closure of the UK consulate in occupied East Jerusalem.