Israel will not let US reopen its consulate in Jerusalem, minister says

Israel’s Justice Minister, Gideon Sa’ar in Tel Aviv, on 8 February 2021 [GIL COHEN- MAGEN/AFP/Getty Images]

Israeli Justice Minister Gideon Saar yesterday reiterated that Israel will not let the US reopen its consulate in occupied Jerusalem, Ynet News reported.

The administration of former US President Donald Trump closed the consulate in 2018 when America relocated its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

However, the current US President Joe Biden has several times said he plans to reopen the consulate to rebuild relations with the Palestinians.

“No way, no way,” Saar said when asked if the reopening of the consulate may pick up steam under US pressure. “It needs Israeli approval,” he stressed, adding: “We will not compromise on this issue” for generations to come.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett opposes the reopening of the consulate and his Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, Ynet News reported, has said that reopening the consulate could unsettle the government.

READ: 72.8% of Israelis oppose reopening of US consulate in Jerusalem

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