Israel closed the British consulate after a 30-day deadline expired without the British diplomats complying with Israeli demands. With the end of this deadline, the British diplomatic representatives lost their credentials to operate in the region.
Israel's decision comes in response to sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom in the West Bank. The Israeli government took this measure as direct retaliation to the British position regarding the Palestinian territory.
The United Kingdom's executive expressed regret for the way Israel responded to the decision to impose sanctions. However, the British authorities defended that the measure taken was the correct one and that they will not back down from their position.
The situation reflects the growing diplomatic tensions between both countries around the Palestinian question and the status of the West Bank, territory occupied by Israel since 1967.
