British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the UK's consulate in East Jerusalem will not close but will be renamed the UK Mission and will continue to operate independently and provide services to Palestinians. Israel had earlier demanded the consulate's closure after the UK announced plans to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Miliband said the UK has already withdrawn some staff and dependents in recent weeks and will begin gradually restoring local staffing, and that it

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the UK's consulate in East Jerusalem will not close but will be renamed the UK Mission and will continue to operate independently and provide services to Palestinians. Israel had earlier demanded the consulate's closure after the UK announced plans to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Miliband said the UK has already withdrawn some staff and dependents in recent weeks and will begin gradually restoring local staffing, and that it will not take reciprocal measures against Israel while negotiations continue. Earlier reports said the UK may expel some Israeli diplomats.