The Israel government has declined a proposal from the Biden administration to reopen a consulate in Jerusalem for Palestinian citizens.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said at a press conference on Sunday that there was “no room” for a second US consulate in Jerusalem; the US closed its consulate serving Palestinian citizens in 2019 as the Trump administration moved to formally recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The move infuriated Palestinian officials, as the city is also claimed by the Palestinian National Authority.

US Consulate Closure and Trump Administration’s Policy

In 2019, amidst the Trump administration’s policy shift to officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the United States made the controversial decision to close its consulate serving Palestinian people.

This move ignited intense outrage among Palestinian officials, who viewed it as a stark disregard for the city’s profound significance to both Israel and the Palestinian National Authority. The closure underscored the deep-rooted complexities surrounding the status of Jerusalem and exacerbated tensions in the region.

Ongoing Disputes and Legal Challenges

Currently, Palestinian families living on disputed land are appealing to Israel’s highest court after rejecting a proposed solution.

The proposal involved allowing families to remain on the land but relinquish ownership claims and pay an annual fee.

Despite efforts to resolve disputes, tensions persist, complicating diplomatic efforts between the US and Palestinian officials.

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