Labour MP Emily Thornberry urges UK to defy Israeli order to close Jerusalem consulate

Emily Thornberry, chair of parliament’s influential Foreign Affairs Committee, has called on Britain to refuse compliance with Israel’s closure of the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem.

Her intervention comes amidst mounting anxiety among Palestinians that Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband will submit to Israeli pressure and shut the consulate on Thursday.

Middle East Eye understands that the foreign secretary’s decision is being watched closely by other consulates, including France and Spain, who fear they will be next to be forced out if the British quit.

Thornberry told MEE on Monday that the closure of the consulate was a “blatant retaliation against Britain for standing up for international law. The closure order is in itself illegal.”

“I hope that Israel will not go through with the closure of a consulate which has served Britons and Palestinians since 1838. Britain should not allow Israel to do this,” she said.