Diplomatic crisis and lack of representation: Israel ends the year without an ambassador to the UK

In the shadow of tense relations between the countries, Israel has been without an ambassador to the UK for almost a year, and the person appointed to the position by the government, Tzachi Braverman, cannot currently travel abroad due to criminal suspicions against him and travel bans from the country as part of the "night meeting" affair. The current situation leaves Israel without an ambassadorial representation in London at a time when relations have fallen into a diplomatic crisis, the British are considering imposing sanctions, and Israel is threatening retaliatory measures.

Braverman is suspected of obstruction of justice and offenses of fraud and breach of trust in an affair in which it was suspected that he tried to thwart a security investigation in the Prime Minister's Office. A British diplomat said that the British government approved the appointment and there is no obstacle from its side for Braverman to arrive in London, but discussions on the subject are still taking place in Israel.

The previous Civil Service Commissioner, Daniel Hershkowitz, discussed the suspension of Braverman. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar presented a position at the time that Braverman should go, but Commissioner Hershkowitz left the decision to Commissioner Doron Cohen. Commissioner Cohen held a dialogue with the Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eden Bar-Tal, and ultimately decided not to suspend Braverman. However, shortly thereafter, the prosecution published the indictment against Braverman, and because of this, the commissioner decided to hold another hearing - and has not yet made a decision. The Foreign Minister believes that as long as an indictment has not been filed against him - and it has not been decided whether to suspend him or not - he should and can go on his mission. The Civil Service Commission stated in response that "a decision on the matter has not yet been made because the subject is still in the process of examination, as is customary."

Meanwhile, Israel-UK relations are on an escalation path. The British are supposed to make a decision on sanctions against Israel, and among the options on the table: a ban on trade with the settlements and the expansion of the arms embargo against Israel. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced that if the UK takes steps against Israel, Israel will take significant steps against it.

The assessment in Israel is that the British decision was made long before the approval of the E1 plan and already appeared in the statements of the new British Prime Minister, who said that the UK had been too soft with Israel and a much tougher line should be taken against it. Information reached Israel that the UK had planned such sanctions long before the approval of the plan and was in contact with other countries in Europe. In Israel, it is believed that there is a connection between the decision and the holding of the Labour Party conference at the end of the month and the struggles between the Labour Party and the Green Party.

Israel also blocked a similar move in the European Union, which was promoted by the Netherlands, Spain, and Ireland - who failed to reach a consensus following intensive talks that Sa'ar held with foreign ministers in the EU. In the last year and a half, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has waged a defensive battle against attempts to harm the Association Agreement between the European Union and Israel that began in the spring of 2025. The attempts continued at the last meeting of foreign ministers, but they failed as a result of an intensive effort and a camp of friendly countries that opposed the moves that other countries tried to lead.

In Israel, there is preparation for a British decision on imposing sanctions, and Foreign Minister Sa'ar has already held a series of discussions and formulated a response plan for any decision that will be made. In a dialogue with European foreign ministers, Sa'ar spoke out against the criticism of the E1 plan and said that the claims that this breaks the territorial continuity of the Palestinian state are ridiculous.