Workers remove signage from British consulate in Jerusalem after Israel ordered it to close after Labour announced West Bank sanctions

Workers removed signs and plaques at the British consulate in East Jerusalem overnight and its doors are set to close today as relations between Israel and the UK deteriorate.Workers in the consulate were seen removing a plaque reading 'British Consulate General' and another sign for its consular section. The British flag was still flying over the building. There was no immediate comment from the consulate.The UK has withdrawn staff and their families from its consulate in East Jerusalem 'to ensure their safety' after Israel said it would be closed today in retaliation for the Government's ban on trade with illegal West Bank settlements. But Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the building would not be closed and would instead be known as the UK Mission.In a statement, he said: 'We have been clear that we do not accept that the Government of Israel has the legal right to close the British Consulate General in Jerusalem, which has been there for nearly 200 years. 'The UK Government reiterates its long-standing view that East Jerusalem is occupied territory.'Following discussions with the Government of Israel, our Consulate General building will not be closing, and will be known as the UK Mission, Jerusalem from today. The UK Mission, Jerusalem is independent, operational, and will continue to deliver vital services and our work with the Palestinian people.' A combination image shows the British consulate in East Jerusalem before the removal (top), and with the signage removed (bottom)He continued: 'This will ensure that we maintain our long-standing British presence and the UK's role in support of a two-state solution. Without an understanding, we would not have the necessary assurances for the security and protections of our staff and premises.'Accordingly, the UK has temporarily withdrawn a number of staff and families to ensure their safety and security. We will work in the coming months to build back up our presence, and we will not take reciprocal action while such discussions are underway and credible.'The UK stands steadfast by the measures we took on 8 September, in concert with the international community, in support of a two-state solution to deliver peace and security for the people of Israel and Palestine.'Israel last month ordered Britain to close the consulate within 30 days and remove its diplomats from the city, after Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including a trade ban on goods made there.On Tuesday, Shadow Foreign Secretary Tom Tugendhat accused Mr Miliband of pursuing a 'personal agenda' in his hardline against Israel. UK officials have been scrambling to reach a deal to keep the building open but Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar last night insisted his country was holding firm.The UK's top national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, quietly visited Israel last week in an attempt to keep the consulate open but failed to reach an agreement. The move will see the consulate's diplomatic status removed and legally bar around 30 diplomats from operating out of the building. Traffic barriers surround the British consulate in East Jerusalem as Israel threatens to close itIsrael is unlikely to send diplomats and their families home, instead pushing them to work from the British embassy in Tel Aviv, The Times reported. Britain has threatened to expel Israeli diplomats from London if its overseas staff are sent home. The consulate has been in Jerusalem for almost 200 years, long before the state of Israel was established in 1948. It handles UK relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, as well as in Gaza and the West Bank. The United Nations and most countries consider the settlements to be illegal under international law. Israel disputes this. Britain's presence in the city dates back almost 200 years, long before the State of Israel was established in 1948. The closure order does not affect Britain's embassy in Tel Aviv, which handles diplomatic relations with Israel's government. The consulate, in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem, handles Britain's relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, as well as in the West Bank and Gaza. It also provides consular services to Palestinians. Britain's Foreign Office on Wednesday declined to comment when asked whether the consulate was still operating or any British diplomats working there had returned to the UK. Sources have said the order to close the consulate affects around 30 British diplomats along with their family members.Britain is considering expelling Israeli diplomats from Israel's embassy in the United Kingdom in response to any closure of the consulate, according to sources.It would be a highly unusual step for the allies to expel each other's diplomats.Despite the current strains, the UK and Israel are close economic, security and intelligence partners.The British sanctions announcement, and Israel's order to close the consulate, mark a new low in a relationship that has deteriorated over the past three years. Britain ⁠has repeatedly criticised Israel over its actions in the war in Gaza and over Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank.Benjamin Netanyahu's government has accused Labour of being hostile towards Israel.