Israel's deadline for the UK to close its consulate in occupied East Jerusalem is due to expire on Thursday. The move was in retaliation for UK sanctions in September on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
How the UK reacts will be a litmus test for British-Israeli relations under the government of Andy Burnham, which has been signalling a tougher stance towards Israel.
Asked whether the head of the consulate was preparing to leave, the Foreign Office told Al Jazeera it would not go into detail on live discussions, adding that the protection and wellbeing of its staff is its priority.
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