Ed Miliband, the British Foreign Secretary, said that the consulate building of this country in East Jerusalem, which was ordered to be closed by the captives, will remain open as an independent and active representative of the United Kingdom and will provide services to the Palestinians.

Ed Miliband, the British Foreign Secretary, said that the consulate building of this country in East Jerusalem, which was ordered to be closed by the captives, will remain open as an independent and active representative of the United Kingdom and will provide services to the Palestinians.

Captives Last month, Britain was ordered to close the consulate within 30 days and withdraw its diplomats from this city. The order came after Britain announced sanctions against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including a ban on trade in goods produced in those areas.

The United Nations and most countries consider Israeli settlements illegal under international law. Captives oppose this view.

Mr Miliband said Britain had removed a number of consular staff and their families from the region in recent weeks, but would now try to increase its presence there again. The British Consulate in East Jerusalem is responsible for Britain's relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem as well as in the West Bank and Gaza.

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