Israel

US to Reopen Separate Diplomatic Communication Line for Palestine

JUN 9 2022·Updated SEP 20 2022

Story

Image credit: AP [via Independent]

The Facts

The Biden admin. announced Thurs. that they're restoring a line of communication between the US and Palestine that had previously been canceled by former Pres. Trump.
Independent
The Palestinian Affairs Unit (PAU) had been operating within the US embassy in Israel, but will now report directly to the State Dept.'s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. The PAU has also changed its name to the US Office of Palestinian Affairs (OPA).
Al Jazeera
OPA had been redesignated to the Israeli embassy from occupied East Jerusalem and renamed the Palestinian Affairs Unit (PAU) under Trump, outraging many Palestinians and delighting many Israelis.
guardian
Biden reportedly hasn't decided whether he will reopen the former consulate building in East Jerusalem, though Israel has said it wouldn't consent to this.
Al Jazeera
Under the Trump admin., the former consulate staff were subordinate to the Israeli embassy rather than strictly focused on US-Palestine affairs. The revamped OPA now operates to strengthen diplomacy directly with Palestine.
guardian
The announcement comes ahead of a potential visit by Pres. Biden to both Israel and the West Bank.
Independent

Sources Split

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The Spin

Pro-Palestine narrative

This is one positive step closer to reopening the US consulate to Palestine in East Jerusalem. Israel illegally annexed the region in 1967 and this is part of what's needed for Palestine to officially regain legitimacy and establish a capital of the Palestinian State.

Al Jazeera

Pro-Israel narrative

Biden needs to be careful. If the US continues down this path towards reopening the Palestinian consulate and possibly even recognizing Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital, they risk violating the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act that states Jerusalem should remain an undivided city which Israel has declared sovereignty over.

The Hill