Israel Matzav

The US embassy to 'Palestine'

In The Corner, Cliff May issues a mea culpa for creating the impression that the US Consulate in eastern Jerusalem was any different under previous administrations than it is today (it wasn't - I discussed that here and here). But May goes on to raise valid criticisms of the Consulate's mandate.

That this arrangement has enjoyed bipartisan support does not change the fact that it is odd, and deserving of scrutiny and debate. Consciously or not, it sends a message that the U.S. is not unsympathetic to those who wish Israel would disappear and/or to those who insist Jerusalem should become the capital of a future Palestinian state, one that would not permit Jews to be citizens or even residents — as is the case in many Arab and Muslim countries today.

Why not have a U.S. presence — a consulate or a less official “American Center” — in Ramallah, where the Palestinian Authority has its offices? Is the reason that the PA can’t provide security and won’t allow the U.S. to provide its own?

Also curious: Claudia Rosett has since asked a few questions and was told by a press officer at the Consulate that it is “100 percent independent" of the embassy in Tel Aviv, reporting not to the U.S. Ambassador in Israel but directly to the Secretary of State in Washington. Is there anywhere else in the world where we have such an arrangement? If not, is this unique status justified in this case? I’m not sure. I’d like to hear what Jeffrey and James think.

And what exactly is the argument against having a Consulate General in Jerusalem that recognizes Jerusalem as a diverse city — but, yes, an Israeli city where Jews, Christians, and Muslims co-exist imperfectly, to be sure, but better than they do anywhere else in the Middle East? Would that be so offensive to moderate Palestinians? Would it foreclose the possibility that someday, if some peace process were to succeed, part of Jerusalem might become the capital of an independent Palestinian state? I think the answers are no and no.

That the Israelis do not make a public fuss over this is no reason for us to close off discussion. A nation that is demonized day in and day out around the world has to choose carefully which insults and slights to protest and which to silently endure.

But to say there is nothing controversial here, nothing to look at, everybody go home? I’m sorry, but I don’t buy it.

No, Cliff, you're right, there is plenty that is controversial here.

By the way, do you know any other country in the world where the United States maintains its embassy in a city that was not designated as the country's capital? Hint: There isn't any other such country.

Perhaps if we focus pressure on America's number 1 diplomat (pictured above) to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem (as Congress demanded in 1995), the consulate issue will work itself out.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:06 PM