Capital J

[David Frankfurter]

Dear Friends,

 

Lots of electrons have been spinning the internet recently scrutinizing the website and email correspondence of the US Consulate in Jerusalem, which provides services to  US citizens living in Jerusalem and the West Bank and represents the US to Arabs in those areas and to the Palestinian Authority.  

 

The Jerusalem Consulate was established in 1844.  It’s role really changed from servicing to the whole region to a more narrow focus when the US Embassy to Israel was set up in Tel Aviv. Aside from historical reasons for its location, Jerusalem has provided better security and access for staff and “customers” than many alternative places one can think of.  Many of the emails that I have received ascribe more sinister reasons for the Consulate not being in Ramallah, pointing to recent changes to the website as “proving” that the US is tacitly recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of “Palestine”.

 

In 1995, both houses of Congress passed a law instructing the US Embassy be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Subsequent US Presidents have cited “national security” to defer the move. The Obama administration uses every opportunity to emphasize commitment to a two State solution.  It is time for the US to demonstrate commitment to the Jewish State in that solution.  The US Embassy should be in  Israel’s capital - Jerusalem.

 

David

Comments are welcome as always – please post them at the following link: http://dfrankfurter.livejournal.com/119315.html.  I read them all.