“An important way for our country to engage and support the Palestinian people”
The State Department spokesman said Tuesday evening that the United States remained “committed to reopening a Palestinian consulate in Jerusalem”.
“We continue to believe that the reopening of the consulate can be an important way for our country to engage and provide support to the Palestinian people. We continue to discuss this with our Israeli and Palestinian partners and we will continue to consult with members of Congress,” spokesman Ned Price said during a press briefing, once again refusing to give a specific date for the fulfillment of this campaign promise.
“In the meantime, at this very moment, we have a dedicated team of colleagues working in Jerusalem in our Palestinian Affairs Unit, who are focused on engaging with the Palestinian people,” he added, acknowledging that he This is a “particularly sensitive” issue.
The Israeli government opposed this decision, arguing that it constituted an encroachment on its sovereignty. Washington subsequently shelved its plan, not wanting to provoke conflict with its Israeli allies.
According to two American and Palestinian officials who confided in the Times of Israel last week, US President Joe Biden will appoint Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli and Palestinian Affairs Hady Amr to serve as special envoy to the Palestinians.
Mr. Amr will remain in Washington but will travel regularly to the region and will work closely with the Palestinian Affairs Unit, which is currently a branch of the US Embassy in Israel and is housed in the old building. of the consulate in Jerusalem.
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