Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
NEWSLETTER
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
Home News

Top US official: We cannot reopen consulate without Israeli approval

Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Brian McKeon acknowledges that under US and international law, the Biden administration cannot go ahead with the highly contentious move unless the Israeli government gives its consent first.

by  Ariel Kahana
Published on  10-28-2021 11:16
Last modified: 10-28-2021 11:17
Report: US, PA hold talks over consulate branch in east JerusalemOren Ben Hakoon

The building that used to house the US mission to the Palestinians in Jerusalem | File photo: Oren Ben Hakoon

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

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.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

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.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

Related Posts

What we know about the historic US Iran strikeAP

Report: US intelligence estimates Iran's nuclear facilities were not destroyed

by Neta Bar

An analysis obtained and published by CNN indicated that the main components of Iran's nuclear program were not damaged in...

Israel's National Security Council chief confirms direct Israel-Syria talksAP,KOKO

Israel's National Security Council chief confirms direct Israel-Syria talks

by Amir Ettinger

Hanegbi disclosed he personally oversees both security and political coordination efforts, moving beyond previously reported indirect communications to establish comprehensive...

Amid Trump criticism: Israel limits Iran response to symbolic strikeReuters

Amid Trump criticism: Israel limits Iran response to symbolic strike

by Ariel Kahana and Danny Zaken

Following Iran's violation of the ceasefire, the Israeli Air Force struck a single radar target north of Tehran after Trump...

Menu

Analysis 

Archaeology

Blogpost

Business & Finance

Culture

Exclusive

Explainer

Environment

 

Features

Health

In Brief

Jewish World

Judea and Samaria

Lifestyle

Cyber & Internet

Sports

 

Diplomacy 

Iran & The Gulf

Gaza Strip

Politics

Shopping

Terms of use

Privacy Policy

Submissions

Contact Us

About Us

The first issue of Israel Hayom appeared on July 30, 2007. Israel Hayom was founded on the belief that the Israeli public deserves better, more balanced and more accurate journalism. Journalism that speaks, not shouts. Journalism of a different kind. And free of charge.

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

Newsletter

[contact-form-7 id=”508379″ html_id=”isrh_form_Newsletter_en” title=”newsletter_subscribe”]

  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il