Reopening US Consulate in Jerusalem 'bad idea': Israeli foreign minister

JERUSALEM

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has opposed the reopening of the US Consulate in East Jerusalem for Palestinians, considering the move a "bad idea".

“We think it’s a bad idea and we’ve told America we think it’s a bad idea,” Lapid said in statements cited by The Times of Israel newspaper.

The move, he said, “will send the wrong message, not only to the region, not only to the Palestinians, but also to other countries, and we don’t want this to happen.”

The top Israeli diplomat noted that the current Cabinet has a sensitive structure and such an American move could destabilize it.

The current Israeli government is formed by a very fragile coalition of extreme right, center, left, and Arab parties.

In 2018, the administration of former US President Donald Trump closed the consulate in East Jerusalem after it recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat in Ankara

JERUSALEM

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has opposed the reopening of the US Consulate in East Jerusalem for Palestinians, considering the move a "bad idea".

“We think it’s a bad idea and we’ve told America we think it’s a bad idea,” Lapid said in statements cited by The Times of Israel newspaper.

The move, he said, “will send the wrong message, not only to the region, not only to the Palestinians, but also to other countries, and we don’t want this to happen.”

The top Israeli diplomat noted that the current Cabinet has a sensitive structure and such an American move could destabilize it.

The current Israeli government is formed by a very fragile coalition of extreme right, center, left, and Arab parties.

In 2018, the administration of former US President Donald Trump closed the consulate in East Jerusalem after it recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat in Ankara