LONDON — The U.K. and Israel have stepped back from the diplomatic brink by securing a compromise to prevent the full closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem.
Most diplomats will leave what will now be operating as a “U.K. mission” in the occupied territory — but Israel has stepped back from closing it entirely.
Both sides were presenting this as a good outcome on Thursday, in a diplomatic tussle over the U.K.’s plans to impose sanctions on illegal settlements in the West Bank.
U.K. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the diplomats and their families were being “temporarily withdrawn” to secure their safety.
“We will work in the coming months to build back up our presence, and we will not take reciprocal action while such discussions are underway and credible,” he continued.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar set out a list of diplomatic actions taken against Britain, adding: “We established a clear principle: It is not possible to act against Israel without Israel taking appropriate measures in response.”
This developing story is being updated.