Israel PM tells Biden's lawmakers he would not allow US consulate in Jerusalem to reopen

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett allegedly reiterated to visiting Democratic US lawmakers that he will t allow US consulate to reopen in Jerusalem, according to a report by Times of Israel. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden's administration has anunced that diplomatic mission responsible for Palestinian matters will be reopened.

consulate was closed in 2019 by n US President Donald Trump, and its staff was merged into US embassy, which had moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem a year before, in what Palestinians saw as a downgrade of ir relations with US. 

mission was based in West Jerusalem on Agron Street and maintained a consular services office in East Jerusalem, which Palestinians claim as capital of ir future state. According to diplomatic protocol, Israel must accredit consul general that United States dispatches to Jerusalem.

Bennett has termed planned move "unacceptable". However, he ackwledged Democratic Party's domestic political concerns and Biden's election promise to his followers, Axios News reported citing an Israeli official.

"I am t going to try to gain political points over this subject, but reopening of consulate is unacceptable," Bennett is said to have told visiting congressional delegation, reported outlet. 

Israeli PM meets with a bipartisan US delegation

Meanwhile on Tuesday, vember 9, Israeli PM also met with a bipartisan US delegation, which also met with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz. delegation later travelled to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh.

" topic of consulate came up in each of our discussions," said delegation head and Democratic Senator Chris Coons, as reported by Times of Israel. He also emphasised need for US to maintain an open line of communication with Palestinian Authority.

On Saturday, vember 6, Bennett told reporters that re is room for ar American consulate in Jerusalem, and that his administration will oppose any attempts by US to restore Palestinian mission. Meanwhile, Palestinian Prime Minister Shtayyeh stated that US did t require Israel's "permission" to reopen its consulate, and urged Washington to keep its diplomatic commitments. However, according to Times of Israel, a top US State Department official recently stated that US would need Israel's authorization before reopening consulate.

Im: AP