US Consulate in Jerusalem will merge with embassy

WASHINGTON, March 4 (MENA) - The State Department publicly confirmed that the US Consulate General in Jerusalem would merge with the US Embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, Hurra Channel reported.

"We will continue to conduct all of the diplomatic and consular functions previously performed by U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. We will also engage in a wide range of reporting, outreach, and programming in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, as well as with Palestinians in Jerusalem, through a U.S. Embassy Palestinian Affairs Unit (PAU), which will operate from our historic Agron Road location in Jerusalem," State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino said in a statement.

The State Department announced in October 2018 that it would fold the consulate -- which provided diplomatic representation to the Palestinians -- with the US Embassy in Jerusalem, creating "a single diplomatic mission." The decision was condemned by Palestinian officials.

"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 U.S. policy on Jerusalem, the West Bank, or the Gaza Strip" the spokesman said.