The foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, has said Britain’s consulate general building in East Jerusalem will not be closing but will be known as a UK mission, remaining independent, operational and serving Palestinian people.
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Israel had ordered the British consulate in East Jerusalem to close on Thursday over the UK’s plans to impose sanctions on settlements in the West Bank.
Miliband said that having withdrawn a number of staff and families in recent weeks, it would now work to build up its presence.
He said Britain would not take any reciprocal action against Israel while the two sides engaged in talks, following speculation it could expel some Israeli diplomats from Britain.
