Jordan backs UK stance on Jerusalem consulate

Jordan on Thursday welcomed the United Kingdom’s rejection of ‘Israel’s’ claim that it has the legal right to close the British Consulate General in Jerusalem, reaffirming that East Jerusalem is occupied Palestinian territory.

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry also welcomed British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband’s confirmation that the consulate building will remain open under the name “UK Mission, Jerusalem” and will continue operating independently and providing services to Palestinians.

Jordanian ministry spokesperson Ambassador Fouad Al-Majali condemned what he described as ‘Israel’s’ unlawful measures against the British consulate and its diplomats, rejecting any attempt to obstruct its work or undermine the security and diplomatic immunities of its staff.

Dispute

‘Israel’ said the British consulate in Jerusalem ended its functions on Thursday but that seven diplomats would be allowed to remain in a limited capacity, with the UK saying it would continue to offer "vital services".

The move comes after ‘Israel’ ordered the closure of the consulate in September as retaliation after London led Western sanctions over violence by ‘Israeli’ settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

‘Israeli’ Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Thursday's move to downsize the UK presence had followed a dialogue with the British government in order to avoid an escalation of tensions between the two countries.

"As I announced, the British consulate in Jerusalem ended its role today," Saar said in a statement, adding that 20 diplomats including the consul general were ending their missions and leaving the country.

Saar said the building is the property of the British government and that a "task force of only seven diplomats" would be allowed to operate from the premises, "which ceased to function as a consulate today".

"Their scope of activity will be very limited," Saar said.

The UK government pledged to continue delivering "vital services" in Jerusalem, saying the consulate general building would remain open and would "be known as the UK Mission, Jerusalem".

"The UK Mission, Jerusalem is independent, operational and will continue to deliver vital services and our work with the Palestinian people," Foreign Minister Ed Miliband said in a statement.

Miliband said the UK did not accept that the ‘Israeli’ government had "the legal right" to enforce the closure.

"We will work in the coming months to build back up our presence and we will not take reciprocal action while such discussions are underway and credible," he added.