UK to Expel Israeli Diplomats Over Jerusalem Consulate Closure

In October 2026, the United Kingdom said it would expel Israeli diplomats and their families in response to an order by Gideon Sa'ar to close the East Jerusalem consulate. A UK security adviser had visited Israel in a failed bid to keep the consulate open. In Israel's election campaign, the Joint List called for Jewish-Arab support to oust Netanyahu and bring peace between Israel and Palestine, while a candidate named Polanski said a vote for him was a vote for Israel. A FlyDubai hijacking also became a flashpoint in the election.