Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that after the closure of the British Consulate in Jerusalem, 20 of the country’s diplomats, including the consul general, will leave the occupied territories.
Sa’ar said the move is part of Tel Aviv’s response to the British government’s recent policies, which he said include sanctions related to settlement construction in the West Bank, restrictions on the export of defense equipment, and political measures against Israel.
The Israeli Foreign Minister added that the consulate building will remain in the possession of the British government, and London can station seven diplomats in the building with a limited level of activity.
Sa’ar warned that any country that takes action against Israel will face a “cost,” and said that Tel Aviv’s period of restraint in the security and political arenas is over.
