Ironic that it was UK national security adviser Jonathan Powell that went on secret mission to Jerusalem to see if a deal could be struck to prevent Israel closing the UK consulate in East Jerusalem later this week. He was an opponent of Ed Miliband's decision to ban trade with illegal settlements now, a decision that led to Israel to announce the closure of the consulate within 30 days and expulsion of UK accredited diplomats. The move has now prompted HMG to suggest it is preparing tit for tat expulsion of Israeli diplomats in UK - as many as 27 of them, plus families. A mess, but so is what is happening to the lives and homes of too many Palestinians.