In a significant shift, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a plan to reshape the U.S. diplomatic mission in Israel. He will merge the Palestinian Affairs Office into the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. This move mirrors the original setup introduced during President Donald Trump’s first term.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce shared the news. She explained the change aims to return to a single, unified mission under one ambassador. Bruce stated that Rubio’s commitment to Jerusalem diplomacy remains central to U.S. foreign policy in the region.
According to Bruce, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, will soon implement the transition. Over the next few weeks, the embassy will restructure its teams to absorb all Palestinian Affairs responsibilities. This action will eliminate a separate Palestinian diplomatic office in Jerusalem.
The change directly reverses a Biden-era policy. In 2022, President Joe Biden reopened a dedicated Palestinian office in the city. That decision followed Trump’s 2018 embassy move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and the closing of the previous consulate.
Critics viewed Biden’s decision as politically risky. Many pointed to recent acts of violence that fueled distrust between Israel and Palestinian leaders. By contrast, Rubio aims to strengthen unity and eliminate diplomatic confusion.
Notably, Rubio’s commitment to Jerusalem diplomacy aligns with previous Trump-era policies. Trump’s administration spearheaded the Abraham Accords, which improved relations between Israel and several Arab nations. Those deals were historic and reshaped regional alliances.
The Israeli government strongly supports Rubio’s decision. Leaders in Jerusalem have long opposed a separate Palestinian diplomatic office in the city. They believe such a move could challenge their claim to Jerusalem as their undivided capital.
U.S. law backs this view. The Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 recognizes the city as Israel’s capital. It also opposes any division of Jerusalem through diplomatic means.
By restoring the embassy’s unified framework, Rubio’s commitment to Jerusalem diplomacy sends a strong message. The United States intends to maintain a consistent, clear approach to peace and partnership in the region.
This new direction could shape Middle East diplomacy for years. The focus now turns to how the move will influence future U.S. engagement with Palestinian leaders.
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