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Source: https://www.jns.org/opinion/why-is-the-us-trying-to-open-a-consulate-in-jerusalem-for-palestinians/
Why Is the U.S. Trying to Open a Consulate in Jerusalem for Palestinians?
(JNS) Farley Weiss and Leonard Grunstein - Even after two successive administrations (those of former President Trump and President Biden) have recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the State Department is still flirting with the concept of locating a symbolic consulate to the Palestinian Authority in Jerusalem. Article IX, Section 5a of the Oslo II Accord, signed in Washington in 1995 and witnessed by then-President Clinton, expressly prohibits establishing a consulate for the P.A. Why would the State Department seek to breach Oslo II, the very basis of the two-state solution for which it so fervently advocates? Last year, Congress passed the Tibetan Policy and Support Act, requiring the U.S. to open a consulate in Tibet. Yet, to this day, there is no consulate in China-occupied Tibet serving Tibetans. Nor is there a consulate in Turkey serving only the Kurds; in China serving only the Uyghur Muslims; or in Myanmar serving only the Rohingya Muslims. Why, then, the double standard when it comes to Israel? Given that Israel has repeatedly said no, shouldn't this end the discussion? Israel is a loyal friend and vital strategic ally of the U.S. Diminishing it or sending mixed signals serves no useful purpose; it only tarnishes the prestige of the U.S. There is no genuinely rational or constructive reason to impinge on the legitimacy of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Farley Weiss is an intellectual property attorney. Leonard Grunstein, a retired attorney, serves on the AIPAC National Council.