New Move by US Embassy in the West Bank Sparks Controversy
The US Embassy in Israel plans to open consular services in West Bank settlements at the end of February. This policy has sparked criticism from Palestinian officials and groups who view it as a form of legitimisation of settlement activity considered illegal under international law.
The policy was announced in an official statement in the Freedom 250 document. In the statement, the US Embassy stated that consular staff would open routine passport services in the settlement of Efrat starting on 27 February.
According to the embassy, as quoted by Middle East Monitor, this move is part of an effort to reach all US citizens in the region.
In addition to Efrat, similar services are planned in Ramallah and the Beitar Illit settlement in the coming months. Consular visits will also be made to a number of other cities such as Haifa, Jerusalem, Netanya and Beit Shemesh.
This policy is seen as not distinguishing between Israeli settlements in the West Bank and cities within the internationally recognised borders of Israel.
Condemned by Palestinians
The move by the US Embassy has sparked criticism from Palestinian officials and groups. They view the policy as a dangerous precedent and a form of practical recognition of Israeli settlement activity.
Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), Abu Youssef, said the decision violated international law.
“The US move is illegal and confirms that Washington is treating the settlements as if they were part of Israel, in an effort to legitimise the occupation,” said Abu Youssef.
He added that there are many UN Security Council resolutions affirming the illegality of settlement activity, as well as legal opinions issued by the International Court of Justice, which affirm the invalidity of the settlements.
According to him, the policy clearly contradicts the prevailing system of international law.
Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative Party, Mustafa Barghouti, also criticised the move. He said the decision was unprecedented in US policy on the Palestinian issue.
Barghouti believes that the Donald Trump administration has shifted from the traditional US position, which previously opposed settlement activity, to an attitude that is seen as handling and accepting the existence of the settlements.
Meanwhile, Hamas also condemned the policy. They stated that the provision of official US services in Israeli settlements is an open violation of international law that criminalises settlement activity. (Anadolu/Fer/I-1)