The U.S. Embassy in Israel and U.S. Consulate General, both in Yerushalayim, will merge to “achieve significant efficiencies and increase our effectiveness,” the State Department announced on Thursday.
The embassy moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May after U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in December 2017.
In announcing the change, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the move does not change U.S. policy on Jerusalem, the West Bank or Gaza.
“As the president proclaimed in December of last year, the United States continues to take no position on final status issues, including boundaries or borders,” said Pompeo. “The specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem are subject to final-status negotiations between the parties.”
“The administration is strongly committed to achieving a lasting and comprehensive peace that offers a brighter future to Israel and the Palestinians,” continued the U.S.’s top diplomat. “We look forward to continued partnership and dialogue with the Palestinian people and, we hope in the future, with the Palestinian leadership.”
JNS.ORG
{Matzav.com Israel}
The US embassy and consulate can be in Jerusalem and yet, the US passports will not state Jerusalem, Israel; and the US will not admit that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.