US embassy denies reported plan to open consular services in West Bank settlement

The United States embassy in Jerusalem denies media reports that it plans to open a consular service branch in Efrat, a Jewish settlement in the West Bank with a large base of US citizens.

Efrat Mayor Dovi Sheffler announced last week that “after extensive efforts” by the Efrat municipality, an agreement was reached with the US embassy to open a “service station” by the end of the month to provide civil services to US citizens living in Efrat. Subsequent reports citing municipality officials described the initiative as a consular service branch that was part of an “embassy outreach program.”

A Jerusalem US embassy spokesman says in a statement: “Media reports of the opening of a consular service center in Efrat are incorrect. As it does on a regular basis in both Israel and the West Bank, the US Embassy Consular Section will conduct outreach and provide services to US citizens.”

Asked for further clarification following the embassy’s denial, a PR representative of the Efrat local council tells The Times of Israel that Sheffler “was referring to a satellite office that will open for one day in the council buildings to provide embassy civil services to Efrat residents who are US citizens,” adding that an official announcement informing residents about the opening day would be published later on.

The embassy spokesperson denies this as well, stating: “Media reports that the embassy is opening an office in Efrat, either permanently or temporarily, are incorrect.”