The British embassy in Tel Aviv has decided not to move into a building owned by tycoon Lev Leviev because of his company’s role in settlement construction in the West Bank.
The embassy had been planning to move from its location on Hayarkon Street and lease a floor in Africa-Israel’s Kirya tower.
Africa-Israel is owned by Mr Leviev, and its subsidiary Danya Cebus has been involved in three West Bank construction projects in the settlements of Matityahu East, Har Homa and Ma’aleh Adumim.
The move was apparently taken as a result of public pressure on the Foreign Office from anti-occupation groups.
Ambassador Tom Phillips wrote to Mr Leviev, who now lives in London, to explain the reasons behind the decision.