The United States has officially shuttered its consulate in Jerusalem, downgrading the status of its main diplomatic mission in Palestine by folding it into the US Embassy to Israel.
For decades, the consulate functioned as a de facto embassy to the Palestinians. Now, that outreach will be handled by a Palestinian affairs unit, under the command of the embassy.
US closes Jerusalem consulate, demoting Palestinian mission https://t.co/eLDjkCxwxC by folding it into relocated embassy; symbolic value only? will Palestinians receive same treatment after losing de facto 'embassy'? pic.twitter.com/thAZfCnP8X
— Jayson Casper (@jnjcasper) March 4, 2019
State Department spokesperson Robert Palladino said in a statement:
“This decision was driven by our global efforts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our diplomatic engagements and operations. It does not signal a change of US policy on Jerusalem, the West Bank, or the Gaza Strip.”
US downgrades Palestinian mission with Jerusalem consulate closure | Via TheHill https://t.co/JlL4Vy0p5K
— SafetyPin-Daily (@SafetyPinDaily) March 4, 2019
Palestinian leaders see the decision as another move against them by US President Donald Trump’s administration, which they froze contact with after his 2017 decision recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
US shuts Jerusalem consulate, downgrades Palestinian mission | Al Jazeera English – Al Jazeera English https://t.co/ZIyt2FXxZF via @GoogleNews
— Daily Tucsonan (@DailyTucsonan) March 4, 2019
Senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement:
“The Trump administration is intent on leaving no room for doubt about its hostility towards the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights, as well as its abject disregard for international law and its obligations under the law.”
Palestinian official Saeb Erekat called the move “the final nail in the coffin” for the US role in peacemaking.
(AJE, PC, Social Media)
Nancy Pelosi is the master of putting this guy in his place with such style & professional sophistication – at the end of the day she doesn’t blow her own trumpet & quietly plans her next move- she sticks 2 constitutional & political rules. Russia is sanctioned to the max by USA & yet it still survives & will be the saviour of Venezuela like it is the saviour of Assad Syria and also quietly plans wise patient moves with diplomacy. NEVER RESPOND TO THE NAUGHTY BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASSROOM- DESPERATELY TRYING TO DISRUPT YOUR CLASS – PLAY IT DOWN “yawn with disinterest.”