Israel has ordered Britain to close its consulate in East Jerusalem within 30 days, with British diplomats stationed there also set to lose their diplomatic status.
According to reports, British diplomats based in Ramallah and British officials working with the US-led Gaza coordination mission in Israel have also been ordered to leave within seven days.
The move comes after Britain, France and Canada announced sanctions against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including a ban on imports of goods produced in those settlements.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Britain’s actions amounted to interference in Israel’s internal affairs. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, meanwhile, expressed regret over Israel’s retaliatory measures, saying the British government had made its decision despite being aware of the possible consequences.