Less than a month later, Israel’s political leadership was also clear: it had no plans to approve such a consulate (the host country would have to approve any new foreign consulates).
Asked by CNN about US intentions at a news conference Saturday evening, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said his government has presented its opinion “clearly and openly” to Americans.
Lapid, who sat next to Blinken in Washington last month, echoed Bennett’s sentiments, and said that if Americans wanted to open a consulate for Palestinians in Ramallah, they would be welcome to do so.
“As far as the (US) consulate is concerned, as we both said it is not about politics and political stability,” Lapid said. It is the State of Israel that is denying in principle that a consulate should be opened in Jerusalem
Passing a new state budget last weekend – which had not been completed since 2018, which led to Israel’s record four elections in two years – puts the government on more stable ground (since it has 14 years to do so). until November). The failure would have triggered new elections). Now that some world partners, including European diplomats such as Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, have made it clear that the new government looks more secure, it is time to begin placing more emphasis on Israel on Palestinian issues.
“I think both the EU and the US are very cautious about any criticism of this new Israeli government because it is a fragile government,” Coveney told CNN’s Becky Anderson on Thursday.
But with the budget passed, and Israel’s government looking set, “both Washington and the European Union now need to focus on their relationship with this new Israeli government, and they must make it clear that if we are to have peace.” have to make.” Together we are serious about providing the process, right, so expanding settlements is not only illegal, but it is also unacceptable to the international community,” he said.
While the new Israeli government’s mantra in its relationship with the United States has been “no drama”, especially when it comes to the possible withdrawal of the Iran nuclear deal, the Biden administration has recently criticized the Israeli government on issues relating to the Palestinians. has been criticized. openly criticized. Israel’s recent announcement to give the green light to thousands of new Israeli housing units in the West Bank has been criticized by the State Department, whose spokesman Ned Price called it “complete with efforts to defuse tensions and ensure peace”. . inconsistent”.
Israel’s move to label six Palestinian NGOs as terrorist organizations, accusing them of working with the designated terrorist group Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, also attracted some sharp words from Europeans and Americans. did. did.
“We believe that respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and a strong civil society are vital to responsible and accountable governance,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said at the time.
But on Saturday, when asked whether his government was heading for confrontation and increased tensions with Americans, now that the budget has been passed, Bennett simply said, “No.”
“We agree with a lot of American friends on which we disagree,” the prime minister said, adding, “I’m sure our American friends and we will continue to collaborate on a long list of big things.”