Israeli Foreign Minister Praises Unprecedented US Consular Services for Settlers

Gideon Sa’ar the Israeli Foreign Minister expressed gratitude on Wednesday for the unprecedented decision by the United States Embassy to expand its consular services to Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.

During a speech at the Knesset the Israeli Parliament commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States Sa’ar remarked on the significance of this move. He stated “We appreciate the crucial decision by the US Embassy to broaden its consular services including the settlement of Efrat in Judea and Samaria (West Bank).”

On Tuesday the US Embassy in the occupied territories announced via its social media account that it would begin offering consular services to its citizens residing in Jewish settlements in the West Bank starting Friday. This marks a historic first since the occupation of these areas in 1967.

The US Embassy asserted in a statement that this initiative is part of its efforts to ensure access for all American citizens.