British Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters conveyed a message to Israeli officials that if Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar's decision to close the British Consulate in East Jerusalem is not reversed, London will respond by expelling 27 Israeli diplomats from the embassy in London. The deterioration in relations between London and Jerusalem reached its peak with Britain's decision last month to impose economic sanctions on settlements in Judea and Samaria. In response to the decision, Sa'ar announced, among other things, the closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem and the revocation of diplomatic credentials of its staff. The decision is expected to take effect on Thursday.