British Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters formally delivered the written warning to Israeli officials on Monday, just two days ahead of an October 8 deadline set by Tel Aviv. The diplomatic feud erupted after the UK imposed trade sanctions on illegal Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank in September. In response, Israel issued a government statement on September 9 ordering the closure of the UK consulate in East Jerusalem—the designated capital of a future Palestinian state occupied by Israel since 1967—effective October 8, unless London rescinded its sanctions. Refusing to withdraw the sanctions, the UK government's ultimatum directly matches the 27 British diplomats currently stationed at its East Jerusalem mission, signaling a severe escalation in diplomatic tensions between London and Tel Aviv.