The story covers statements by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar about punitive measures against Britain in response to the Labour government's steps toward Israel, including halting the work of the British consulate in East Jerusalem and shrinking the British diplomatic mission. Accounts vary on the details of these measures and the number of diplomats departing.
One source focused on Saar's statements about continuing dialogue and rejecting the Israeli government's position on the legality of closing the consulate, another focused on the details of the punitive measures and the number of diplomats, while a third limited itself to the end result: only seven diplomats remaining.