The United State’s Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on May 25 that his country will reopen its consulate general in Jerusalem.
- The move will restores ties with Palestinians, which had been downgraded by the previous Trump administration.
- Former US President Donald Trump had downgraded its operations in Jerusalem and placed them under the authority of his ambassador to Israel when he moved the embassy to Jerusalem.
- Mr. Blinken also announced that President Joe Biden is still committed to a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. The two-state solution means an independent Palestinian state in Gaza and the West Bank existing alongside Israel.
- Recently, a devastating 11-day war between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers killed at least 253 Palestinians and 12 Israelis, and caused widespread destruction in the coastal territory.
