Britain and Israel have reached a temporary compromise over the future of the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem, easing a diplomatic dispute that had threatened to further strain relations between the two countries.
The building will remain open as a UK Mission, although several British diplomats and their families have been temporarily withdrawn.
Israel had ordered the British consulate to close after London imposed measures targeting goods and businesses linked to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the UK would not respond with immediate reciprocal measures.
“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 said.
The UK says the building remains operational and that staff will continue working with Palestinians.
The mission has represented British interests in Jerusalem for nearly two centuries and is separate from the UK's embassy in Tel Aviv.
It handles Britain's relations with Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, as well as political and consular work.
Britain maintains that East Jerusalem is occupied territory and that Jerusalem's final status should be resolved through negotiations.
Israel says most British diplomats, including the consul general, will leave, while a small team will remain in the building with limited duties.
Britain, however, insists the mission has not closed and plans to rebuild its diplomatic presence once security arrangements are addressed.
Middle East minister Stephen Doughty said: “The building remains open. We retain our presence, we continue having staff able to do important work.”
For now, both sides appear to have stepped back from further escalation, but London retains the option of reciprocal action if talks fail.
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