US shuts down its consulate in Jerusalem, Palestinians infuriated
What's the story
The United States has officially shuttered its consulate in Jerusalem, downgrading the status of its main diplomatic mission to the Palestinians 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.
Read the details here.
Announcement
The symbolic shift hands authority to Ambassador David Friedman
The symbolic shift hands authority over US diplomatic channels with the West Bank and Gaza to ambassador David Friedman, a longtime supporter and fundraiser for the West Bank settler movement and fierce critic of the Palestinian leadership.
The State Department spokesman Robert Palladino made the announcement about the merger early morning today in Jerusalem.
The merger is effective today.
Quote
'Decision doesn't signal a change of US policy on Jerusalem'
"This decision was driven by our global efforts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our diplomatic engagements and operations," said Palladino, adding, "It does not signal a change of US policy on Jerusalem, the West Bank, or the Gaza Strip."
Fact
Decision was first announced in October by Mike Pompeo
When first announced by the US Secretary Mike Pompeo in October, the move infuriated Palestinians, fuelling their suspicions that the US was recognizing Israeli control over east Jerusalem and the West Bank, territories that Palestinians seek for a future state.
Palestinian official Saeb Erekat called the move "the final nail in the coffin" for the US role in peacemaking.
Israel
Last year, the US relocated its embassy to Jerusalem
The downgrade is just the latest in a string of divisive decisions by the Trump administration that have backed Israel and alienated the Palestinians, who say they have lost faith in the US administration's role as a neutral arbiter in the peace process.
Last year, the United States recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocated its embassy there.
Aftermath
After relocation, Palestinians cut off most ties with US administration
The relocation upended US policy toward one of the most explosive issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Palestinians, in turn, cut off most ties with the administration.
The administration also has slashed hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian-aid to the Palestinians, including assistance to hospitals and peace-building programs.
It has cut funding to the UN-agency that provides aid to Palestinians classified as refugees.
Negotiations
In return, administration also shut down Palestinians diplomatic-mission in Washington
Last fall, the administration also shut down the Palestinian diplomatic mission in Washington.
The Trump administration has cited the reluctance of Palestinian leaders to enter the peace negotiations with Israel as the reason for such punitive measures, although the US has yet to present its much-anticipated but still mysterious "Deal of the Century" to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Information
US to unveil deal after Israeli elections, Palestine rejects plan
Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, senior advisor to Trump, made an announcement last month that the US would unveil the deal after Israeli elections in April. The Palestinian Authority has preemptively rejected the plan, accusing the US of being biased toward Israel.