NewzUK consul-general to Palestine set to leave Jerusalem before Israel's closure deadline The British consul-general to Palestine is expected to leave Jerusalem in compliance with Israel’s order to close the British consulate before Thursday's deadline, Middle East Eye has learnt. Once British diplomats have left occupied Palestine, they will not be able to re-enter without Israeli permission. The closure of the nearly 200-year-old consulate in East Jerusalem will likely be permanent, absent a change of government in Israel.
British Consul-General Helen Winterton is expected to work with her team from Oman in the hope of returning to Jerusalem when possible, according to sources with knowledge of the matter. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced the order to close the British consulate last month in retaliation against the UK’s move to ban trade with Israeli settlements. Winterton is set to leave by Thursday, which Saar set as the deadline for the consulate's closure.
MEE visited the consulate on Wednesday afternoon and asked a security supervisor if the consul-general has left. Exclusive: UK consul-general to Palestine set to leave Jerusalem before Israel's closure deadline Submitted by Imran Mulla on Wed, 10/07/2026 - 10:43 The closure of the nearly 200-year-old British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem would likely be permanent, absent a change of government in Israel The British consulate in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem on 7 October 2026 (Peter Oborne/MEE) Off The British consul-general to Palestine is expected to leave Jerusalem in compliance with Israel’s order to close the British consulate before Thursday's deadline, Middle East Eye has learnt. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The supervisor replied: "I am sorry, but I cannot give you any information." Meanwhile the Foreign Office did not respond to MEE's inquiry.
The revelation that Winterton is due to leave Jerusalem will put an end to speculation that the UK might defy the Israeli government and keep the consulate open. Israeli media reported earlier this week that Britain was preparing to expel Israeli diplomats and their families from London in retaliation for the closure. The Foreign Office refused to comment on the claims, and government sources told MEE on Tuesday that discussions were ongoing.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the government was “looking at all our options” in an interview last week. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Of the prospect of the consulate in East Jerusalem closing, he insisted: “We do not want this to happen - because it would damage the very important work that we are doing helpin…
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