Israel Orders Closure of UK Consulate in East Jerusalem Amid Settlement Trade Ban

Israel has ordered the British consulate in East Jerusalem to close within 30 days and revoked diplomats' status, a direct retaliatory move following the UK's announcement of a trade ban on goods from West Bank settlements. This escalates diplomatic tensions between Israel and the UK, marking a significant deterioration in bilateral relations. The closure disrupts UK consular operations and signals Israel's willingness to use diplomatic measures in response to perceived foreign interference.