Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN)posed an important question to the administration this week to clarify U.S. law regarding the possible opening of a consulate to the Palestinians in Jerusalem.
"Is it your understanding that, under U.S. and international law, the government of Israel would have to provide its affirmative consent before the United States could open or reopen the U.S. consulate to the Palestinians in Jerusalem?"
Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Brian McKeon responded by confirming the U.S. cannot open a consulate for the Palestinians in Jerusalem without Israel’s authorization. Secretary McKeon said:
"That’s my understanding—that we’d need to get the consent of the host government to open any diplomatic facility."
Context: The U.S. recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2018 and moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. It closed the consulate and opened a department for handling Palestinian consular affairs at the U.S. Embassy, in keeping with diplomatic norms.
Leaders of Israel’s coalition have expressed strong opposition to reopening the consulate, both for substantive and political reasons.
The bottom line: Jerusalem must remain Israel’s undivided capital.
The U.S. must not open a consulate in Jerusalem without Israel’s agreement.
Unilaterally opening a diplomatic facility would directly challenge Israeli sovereignty and create the impression that the U.S. seeks to divide Jerusalem.
Below are more key news items from the week.
Brian Shankman Chief Strategy Director for National Affairs
Iran Targets American Troops and Continues to Expand Nuclear Program READ MORE
Iran is a comprehensive threat that requires a comprehensive solution.
The latest: Iran is responsible for a complex and coordinated attack on U.S. forces in Syria last week.
The regime used up to five armed drones to strike a U.S. outpost.
Iran is also expanding its enrichment of uranium, according to the U.N nuclear watchdog.
Iran is enriching beyond the threshold of 20 percent purity at a Natanz plant where it is already enriching to 60 percent.
The way forward: The U.S. and our allies must fully enforce sanctions and increase the pressure on the regime.
The U.S. must continue to make clear: Iran cannot receive sanctions relief through threats and escalations.
On Friday, the Treasury Department sanctioned supporters of Iran's dangerous drone weapons program.
Among those targeted was the brigadier general who oversaw the Iranian drone strike in July on a commercial shipping vessel that resulted in the death of two crewmen.
Palestinian NGOs Designated for Supporting Terrorism; Rep. McCollum Condemns Israel READ MORE
Rep. Betty McCollum is introducing a House resolution condemning Israel for designating six Palestinian nonprofit organizations (NGOs) as terror groups.
This is another reflexive attack on our ally Israel by some in Congress.
Context: Israeli security experts briefed the Biden administration and Hill officials on how terror groups use these NGOs to funnel money to terrorists.
The bottom line: Designating these NGOs wasn't politically motivated; this resolution is.
Allies Train Together Over Israel's Skies READ MORE
After two weeks of training and cooperation between eight allies in southern Israel, Blue Flag 2021 has ended.
What is Blue Flag? Blue Flag is a biannual international air defense exercise held in Israel.
The American, German, French, Italian, Indian, British and Greek air forces trained alongside Israel in the Jewish state's most advanced aerial exercise to date.
The exercise aims to boost Israel's overall defensive capabilities in the region and acts as a bridge for regional cooperation and enhancement of shared capabilities.
The big picture: America’s partnership with Israel helps keep both countries and our allies stronger and safer.
The U.S. announced that it is considering adding Israel to its visa waiver program.
This would allow Israeli citizens to visit America for 90 days without a visa.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Gilad Erdan: "Israel is continuing in full force to ensure that Israeli citizens will be able to enter the U.S. freely without a visa, as they should be able to do with our closest ally."
The big picture: Admitting Israel into the visa waiver program is an appropriate step benefitting Israel's role as a key U.S. ally and strategic partner.
More than 200 celebrities, including actors Mila Kunis, Billy Porter, Neil Patrick Harris and Helen Mirren, signed an open letter opposing efforts to boycott an LGBTQ film festival in Tel Aviv.
Context: The letter is a response to calls from activists with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel to boycott the Tel Aviv International LGBTQ Film Festival.
What the letter says:
"We reject any attempt to boycott TLVFest – Israel’s largest LGBTQ Film Festival — which works to showcase the stories of LGBTQ people globally and create a brighter future for LGBTQ people both inside Israel and around the world."
"We stand united with all the participating filmmakers against the divisive rhetoric espoused by boycott activists who seek to misinform, bully and intimidate artists into removing their films from the festival or shame them for participating in the festival."
"In Israel, movies have the unique power to bring together Jews, Arabs, and people of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in collaboration under a shared love of the arts, working together towards the common goal of telling their stories, and building bridges of compassion and understanding."
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
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