US embassy denies reported plan to open consular service branch in West Bank settlement
After Efrat settlement officials claim that American mission will set up a local ‘service station,’ embassy insists that reports of any office opening there are ‘incorrect’
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleNava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.
The United States Embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday denied media reports that it plans to open a consular service branch in Efrat, a Jewish settlement in the West Bank with a large population of US citizens.
Efrat Mayor Dovi Sheffler announced last week that “after extensive efforts” by the 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 there. Subsequent reports citing municipality officials described the initiative as a consular service branch that was part of an “embassy outreach program.”
“Media reports of the opening of a consular service center in Efrat are incorrect,” a US Embassy spokesman said in a statement. “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 for the Efrat local council told 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.
The embassy spokesperson denied that as well, stating: “Media reports that the embassy is opening an office in Efrat, either permanently or temporarily, are incorrect.”
The international community — with the notable exception of the United States under President Donald Trump — considers settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law. Israel, which conquered the area in the 1967 Six Day War, disputes that position, citing historic ties to the region and a security imperative in holding on to it.
However, after the Israeli security cabinet’s approval Sunday of a series of measures aimed at expanding Jerusalem’s grip in the areas Palestinians hope will make up their future state, Trump and his administration responded by reiterating opposition to annexation, having expressed concerns it could upend efforts to stabilize the Gaza Strip.
The Times of Israel Community.