UK to continue vital services after Jerusalem consulate closure

The UK government on Thursday pledged to continue delivering "vital services" in Jerusalem after Israel said the British consulate in the city ended its functions.

The consulate general building will remain open and would "be known as the UK Mission, Jerusalem from today (Thursday). The UK Mission, Jerusalem is independent, operational, and will continue to deliver vital services and our work with the Palestinian people," Foreign Minister Ed Miliband said in a statement.

Israel had ordered the closure of the consulate in September as retaliation after London led Western sanctions over violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.