Summary

--SUPERS--
File
Pool
Monday
Jerusalem, Israel

May 14, 2018

--VIDEO SHOWS--
-Opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem by Ivanka Trump unavailing etched inscription

--CNN WIRE--
US folds diplomatic representation to the Palestinians into its Jerusalem Embassy
The United States says it is merging its Embassy in Jerusalem, and its Consulate General in the city, into a single diplomatic mission, according to a statement released by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
The statement said the move was aimed at achieving significant efficiencies and improving the effectiveness of our operations
It did not signal a change of US policy on Jerusalem, the West Bank, or the Gaza Strip, the statement added
While the United States recently moved its Embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the US Consulate General in Jerusalem retained the status of an independent mission, meaning it was not working underneath any embassy
It served as the US's diplomatic representation to the Palestinians
Now, these responsibilities will be handled by a new Palestinian Affairs Unit inside the Embassy
The statement says that Ambassador to Israel David Friedman will oversee the transition
The announcement has been condemned by Palestinian officials
The Trump Administration is making clear that it is working together with the Israeli Government to impose Greater Israel rather than the two-state solution on the 1967 border, PLO Secretary General Saeb Erekat said in a statement, adding, The US administration has fully endorsed the Israeli narrative, including on Jerusalem, Refugees and Settlements

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--KEYWORD TAGS--
ISRAEL PALESTINE EMBASSY FILE