DOS Prepares to Merge Consulate-General in Jerusalem With Embassy

On January 8, 2019, President Donald Trump issued a memorandum for the Secretary of State authorizing him to close the United States Consulate General in Jerusalem and merge its functions into the United States Embassy for Israel. The President's memorandum was published at 84 FR 3961 (Feb. 13, 2019) [PDF version].

President Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on December 6, 2017 [see blog]. That decision reversed the U.S. policy of not recognizing Israel's capital for seven decades. President Trump also provided that the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv would be moved to Jerusalem. The Embassy was formally relocated in Jerusalem in May 2018. The President's decision to allow for the closure of the Consulate General in Jerusalem is the next step in centralizing the U.S. Mission to Israel in its new Embassy.