Possibility of relocating UK's embassy to Al-Quds is 'slim': Officials

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli Media
22 Sep 22:47

Israeli media argues that "Britain’s interests with the Islamic and Arab worlds will lead to a veto against the decision within the United Kingdom”.

British PM Liz Truss with Israeli PM Yair Lapid

Despite British PM Liz Truss informing Israeli PM Yair Lapid that she is considering relocating the UK Embassy to occupied Al-Quds, Israeli media is downplaying the possibility.

The two met on the sidelines of the 77th UNGA session held on Wednesday, where, according to a spokesperson for the British PM, Truss told Lapid "about her review of the current location of the British Embassy in Israel," reported The Guardian.

Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth quoted Israeli officials as saying that there’s a "slim" possibility of relocating the UK's embassy in "Israel" from "Tel Aviv" to occupied al-Quds, despite Liz Truss's remarks.

"Britain's interests with the Islamic and Arab worlds will lead to a veto against the decision within the United Kingdom, “the newspaper quoted an Israeli official as saying.

During the PM elections in the UK last August, Truss sent a letter to the Israeli lobby group, Friends of "Israel", in an effort to gain the favor of pro-"Israel" voters, saying that she will “review” the embassy matter, writing “I understand the importance and sensitivity of the location of the British Embassy in Israel. I’ve had many conversations with my good friend Prime Minister Yair Lapid on this topic.”

In 2017, the UK was one of the 128 countries that backed a resolution that condemns former US President Trump’s decision to relocate the Israeli embassy to Al-Quds, with the resolution calling on countries not to move their offices.

Only a handful of embassies have relocated from “Tel Aviv” to occupied Al-Quds, including those of the United States, Guatemala, Moldova, Romania, and Honduras. However, other embassies see this move as a security threat, notably given Al-Quds' unique place as the Palestinian capital, and thus in turn reject the recognition of Al-Quds as the capital of “Israel” – that is if they recognize “Israel" in the first place.