Most UK diplomats to leave East Jerusalem consulate, Israel says, as Miliband says 'vital services' to remain

Most diplomats will leave the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, according to Israel, but the UK insists that the building "will not be closing" and will operate as a "UK Mission."

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced on social media that 20 diplomats and the Consul General would depart from Israel, while a task force of seven could remain in the building "with a very limited scope of activity."

UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband responded, stating that some staff had been "temporarily withdrawn" for security reasons but emphasized that the mission will continue to "work with the Palestinian people."

In September, Israel declared it would shut the consulate in retaliation for UK sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are deemed illegal under international law. The UK government made last-ditch efforts to persuade Israel not to close the consulate ahead of Thursday's deadline, after Israel announced it would close the consulate within 30 days of the sanctions announcement.