Al Jazeera reported that Israel has closed the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem, downgrading it to the "British Mission in Jerusalem" and demanding that 20 British diplomats, including the Consul General, leave the country. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband confirmed the news on Thursday. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated that the move was retaliation for the UK's announcement last month to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Miliband reiterated that the UK does not accept Israel's decision and emphasized that East Jerusalem is occupied territory.