The United States cannot reopen its consulate for the Palestinians in Jerusalem unless Israel gives its consent first, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Brian McKeon said Wednesday.
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McKeon appeared before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and was asked by Senator Bill Hagerty – who proposed a bill earlier in the week to block the consulate from opening – about the move.
Important question from @SenatorHagerty: Does Israel have to agree before the US could open or reopen a consulate to the Palestinians in Jerusalem?
"That's my understanding—that we'd need to get the consent of the host government to open any diplomatic facility." -DepSec McKeon pic.twitter.com/lIoQB3eV9K
— AIPAC (@AIPAC) October 28, 2021
"I just want to confirm something, on the record – is it your understanding that under US and international law the government of Israel would have to provide its affirmative consent before the United States could open or reopen the US consulate to the Palestinians in Jerusalem?" Hagerty asked McKeon.
"Or does the Biden administration believe it can move forward to establish a second US mission in the Israel capital city of Jerusalem without the consent of the government in Israel?"
McKeon responded: "Senator, that's my understanding – that we need the consent of the host government to open any diplomatic facility."
The Biden administration has pledged to reopen the mission, garnering criticism from senior Israeli officials and members of Congress who argue it will harm Israeli sovereignty over the capital.
According to US sources involved in the matter, the Biden administration will try to reach an agreement with Israel, and if it does not succeed, it may take a unilateral step after the Knesset approves the state budget, bringing stability to the coalition.
Israel has argued that if Washington is interested in opening a diplomatic mission to the Palestinians in Jerusalem, it should do so outside of the municipality's jurisdiction, for example, in the neighborhood of Abu Dis. The US has rejected that proposal outright.
Former US President Donald Trump shuttered the mission in 2019. It currently serves as the official residence of the US ambassador to Israel.
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