The top US official on Palestinian affairs reaffirmed on Wednesday that Washington wanted to reopen its Jerusalem consulate for Palestinians even as a new right-wing government prepares to take office in Israel.
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Hady Amr was appointed US Special Representative for Palestinian Affairs two weeks ago, a position created by President Joe Biden. He was previously deputy assistant secretary of state for Israeli and Palestinian affairs in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs within the US Department of State.
Amr called the appointment "unprecedented" and said Biden remained committed to a two-state solution as "the best way forward for Israelis and Palestinians to realise their aspirations".
"What we are focused on in the immediate term is lifting up and improving Palestinian lives while we also look for ways to restore a political horizon and return to a two-state solution," he said in an interview with Arab News.
Amr said the Biden administration still aimed to reopen its Jerusalem consulate – shut down in 2019 by then-President Donald Trump – despite opposition from Israel, which regards Jerusalem.
The newly-appointed envoy declined to comment on Netanyahu's new government, which is expected to include far-right leader Itamar Ben-Gvir in a key national security ministry, with expanded powers over police in Judea and Samaria.
"We are going to stay focused on our goal of working toward and advancing toward equal measures of security, freedom and justice for Israelis and Palestinians alike."
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