MK Nir Barkat (Likud) appealed to Knesset Speaker Miki Levy to hold a special Knesset plenary session during the recess, because if Israel allows the United States to open a consulate for Palestinians in the capital, the government will violate the Jerusalem Unity Law.
"I was recently informed that there is an American intention and willingness on the part of the Israeli government to open a consulate in Jerusalem in the coming weeks that will serve the Palestinians, despite the existence of an embassy in the city," writes Barkat, who was mayor of Jerusalem.
He explains that "the opening of such a consulate will lead to irreversible and dangerous damage, which will undermine Jerusalem's status as the capital of Israel. The establishment of the consulate means recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine without negotiations or a decision by the Knesset. urgent".
Nir Barkat, Photo: Avishag Shear Yashuv
Barkat's appeal comes ahead of Prime Minister Bennett's planned meeting with US President Joe Biden, apparently in two weeks, where the issue of the consulate is expected to come up, among other things.
As reported in "Israel Today", the Biden administration continues to work behind the scenes to promote the opening of a consulate for Palestinians in Jerusalem.
This is despite the fact that both the Bennett-Lapid government and the Biden administration are at this stage interested in keeping the disputes between the parties modest.
Representatives of the administration worked to delay the bill initiated by Barkat, which in fact prevents the intention to open the consulate.
Barkat pushed back the pressure and intends to continue promoting the law, although it is unclear whether he will be able to put it to a vote before the administration fully raises the demand for the opening of the delegation.
Under the law proposed by Barkat, the state will not approve the opening or establishment of a diplomatic mission serving a foreign political entity in Jerusalem.
Since the consulate that the Americans intend to open is intended to serve the Palestinians, the law will prohibit the foreign minister from approving its opening.
It should be noted that even under the Vienna Convention, which regulates international relations between countries, the host country must approve, with the signature of the foreign minister, the state's request regarding the manner of use of the compound it operates.
MK Barkat, who went to the United States two weeks ago to explain the problems of the American move, told Israel Today: "We will not allow the Benn-Lapid government to divide Jerusalem. "The government for this move is disastrous and will harm Jerusalem. I intend to fight vigorously against the dangerous decision to establish a consulate for the Palestinians in Jerusalem. The government cannot make Jerusalem the capital of Palestine. This is a red line that must not be crossed. Jerusalem will remain the united capital of Israel forever."