Nation

US to reopen its consulate in Jerusalem as step to improve ties with Palestine

By Pratiksha

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on Tuesday that the Biden administration is going to reopen its consulate in Jerusalem, which had acted as a de facto embassy to the Palestinians until former President Donald Trump closed it in 2019.

Blinken said after his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, “That’s an important way for our country to engage with and provide support to the Palestinian people,” reported USA Today.

Blinken also met Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some other Israeli officials on Tuesday.

Blinken reached Jerusalem early in the morning on Tuesday.

His first trip to the region comes at a time when the region has dealt with an 11-day conflict between Israeli and Hamas that left more than 230 Palestinians and 12 Israelis dead.

A cease-fire stopping the violence came into effect on Friday.

Blinken added, “This relief is urgent. We have to respond to the profound need of people in this moment.”

Tags: Antony Blinken Israel Jerusalem Palestine

Pratiksha

Pratiksha is a student of English Journalism at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. A media enthusiast and a passionate story teller, she aims to tell as many stories as she can through her journalism. Pratiksha is currently working as a current affairs journalist at USAnewshour.com and can be reached at pratiiksha1119@gmail.com