British consulate in East Jerusalem will stay open as UK mission, says Ed Miliband

A Jerusalem municipality member stands outside the British consulate on Thursday, the deadline set by Israel for its closure. Photograph: Ammar Awad/ReutersView image in fullscreenA Jerusalem municipality member stands outside the British consulate on Thursday, the deadline set by Israel for its closure. Photograph: Ammar Awad/ReutersBritish consulate in East Jerusalem will stay open as UK mission, says Ed Miliband Foreign secretary says former consulate general will remain independent, operational ⁠and serving Palestinian people

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.

Read moreIsrael 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Miliband said that having ‌withdrawn a number of staff and families in recent ​weeks, it would now work to build up its presence.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.