The United States Is Leading the War For Jerusalem

18 Marcheshvan 5782

The final war for Jerusalem - the one predicted by the Prophet Zechariah (chapter 12) - is in full swing and may be nearing its denouement. 

From local to international, the media has been full of reports over the past week about the ongoing attempts by the United States to serve 'Palestine' from Jerusalem, as if it is a "shared" capital.

Report: U.S., PA Hold Talks Over Consulate Branch in East Yerushalayim

YERUSHALAYIM - Besides reopening a diplomatic mission to the Palestinians in western Yerushalayim, the Biden administration is also looking to open a consulate branch in eastern Yerushalayim, Yisrael Hayom reported, quoting sources involved in the matter.

According to the report, Washington has already held talks with Palestinian leaders with regard to this.

The U.S. Consulate used to be located on Derech Shechem Route in eastern Yerushalayim but was moved to the western part of the capital in 2010. The mission operated from there until its closure by former President Donald Trump in 2019.

For years, it assisted the Palestinian Authority in establishing governing bodies and security services and liaised with the Palestinian leadership in east Yerushalayim, Yehudah and Shomron, and the Gaza Strip. It also provided the State Department with information on Israeli building of communities in Yehudah and Shomron, a move Washington opposed for many years, except during the Trump administration.

According to the Al-Quds daily, the Biden administration plans to reopen the consulate – despite pushback from Israel – within the next few weeks.

The move was commended by PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh who expressed hope it would “lay the foundation for a future U.S. Embassy in the Palestinian state.”

According to the Palestinian Media Watch, he also said that by reopening its diplomatic mission to the Palestinians, “the U.S. administration is sending a message that Jerusalem is not a united Israeli city and that it does not recognize the annexation of Arab Jerusalem by the Israeli side.”

It's very unfortunate that even a source like Hamodia continues to divide our Holy City by referring to "East" and "West" Jerusalem.  However, what appears to be at issue is not a facility on the eastern side of the city, but one that sits right down the street from the official residence of the Prime Minister of Israel.

The above is the official Facebook page for the US facility on Agron Road. I find it more than a bit interesting that instead of a picture of the location itself, as would be expected, the picture identifying it is of the Temple Mount. What does that suggest? It's meaningful to be sure. 

This is how the US describes its property on Agron Road...

The United States bought the property in the 1930s. Since then, this building and the many U.S. diplomats who have lived here over the years have borne witness to historic events in a city that is not only home to hundreds of thousands of Jerusalemites from various ethnic and religious backgrounds and that is sacred to billions more throughout the world.

In 2006, the U.S. Consulate General expanded its presence on Agron Road with a lease of an adjacent building for its administrative and public affairs offices. The building, a monastery of the Congregation of the Mission, also known as the Lazarists, was built in the 1860s and still houses a small group of Lazarist clergy. The walls of both buildings on Agron Road are built of the distinctive Red Slayeb stone typical of many of Jerusalem’s historic buildings. Roman arch windows and doorways add to their architectural beauty.

Regarding its use as the "Palestinian Affairs Unit"...

As part of U.S. Embassy Jerusalem, the Palestinian Affairs Unit (PAU) operates out of our historic Agron Road property to promote our overarching strategic objective of achieving a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

We seek to move the Palestinian economy to a model of healthy and sustainable private sector-led investment, growth and job creation. Through public diplomacy, we harness the power of U.S. higher education and promote U.S. values and interests, including through collaborative academic and professional exchanges, English language learning, and promoting women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship development, as well as initiatives for young Palestinians to tap into career-enhancing opportunities involving science, technology and innovation.

The Palestinian Affairs Unit is led by PAU Chief and Assistant Deputy Chief of Mission George Noll.

The logical question that demands to be asked is, if all the "Palestinian Affairs" are being conducted by the "Palestinians" themselves in Ramallah, why does the United States insist on bringing them into Jerusalem??? "East" or "West"??? 

You already know the answer to that.  [See the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs' July 15, 2021 article:  "A U.S. Consulate for the Palestinians Should Be on Palestinian Territory – Not in Jerusalem".]  Not that we should accept one centimeter of Eretz Yisrael as "Palestinian Territory."  Just sayin'...

A protest is scheduled for this Wednesday.  It's difficult to say how much of an impact this organized protest might have, but it certainly can't hurt.  EVERYTHING we do makes a difference on some level.  

~

U.S., Israel on collision course over decision to reopen Jerusalem consulate

~

On Jewish Sovereignty In Jerusalem