Workers removed signs and plaques at the British consulate in East Jerusalem overnight after Israel ordered it shut by ​Thursday over London's plans to impose sanctions on settlements in the West Bank, further damaging strained ‌ties between allies.

Axar.az reports that Reuters journalists saw workers in the consulate remove a plaque reading "British Consulate General" and another sign for its consular section. The British flag was still flying over the building. There was no immediate comment from the consulate.

It should be noted that on September 8, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said London had banned imports of goods from illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

In response, Israel announced that the British Consulate in East Jerusalem would be closed within 30 days.