Last Wednesday, Deputy Secretary of State Brian Macione testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
In response to a question from Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty, McKeon acknowledged that under American and international law, the authority to decide whether to open a U.S. consulate for Palestinians in Jerusalem is in Israel's hands.
Now that the possibility of the government opening a consulate without seeking Israeli approval has been removed from the table, and in view of the administration's zeal to open the consulate - it is clear that a "tempting" American proposal will soon come, in return for which Israel will agree to open the consulate.
On Friday, Tuesday, a "Globes" article presented possible outlines of such a deal.
In exchange for a "concession to the Palestinians," Saudi Arabia will develop limited relations with Israel.
In addition, the United States will grant a limited visa exemption to Israeli tourists.
Sources on Capitol Hill made it clear to Israel Today that the "concession to the Palestinians" that Israel will be required to grant is the same approval for the opening of a consulate.
It is important to note that the payoff here is not particularly significant.
Israel already has trade relations with Saudi Arabia through the Emirates.
According to the reporter, the countries maintain continuous security and other ties.
The main brake over the last few years on Saudi Arabia's accession to the Abrahamic treaties in full, has been King Salman's opposition.
Regent Muhammad bin Salman, on the other hand, has expressed willingness in recent years to join the Abrahamic Accords.
If there is no coup, and the heir does inherit the monarchy, normalization will come one day regardless of the American consulate for the Palestinians in the Israeli capital.
If there is a coup, even the limited relations now proposed will probably be abolished.
On the other hand, if in exchange for limited relations today, Israel agrees to open a consulate - the damage will be irreversible and weeping for generations.
After all, giving consent to the opening of a consulate means canceling the greatest Israeli achievement during the Trump administration - American recognition of Israel's sovereignty over Jerusalem.
The opening of a US consulate in Jerusalem means American recognition of Palestinian sovereignty in Jerusalem.
Israel's consent to such an American move will automatically be construed as an Israeli waiver of its sovereignty over its capital.
Some would say that this is a concession similar to the one Israel made for peace with the Emirates - freezing the application of Israeli sovereignty in parts of Judea and Samaria. But this is not the case. Freeze the implementation of the sovereignty plan, it can thaw it.
As for the proposed exemption from visas, the possibility that the Americans are offering a limited exemption as bait for relinquishing sovereignty in Jerusalem is nothing but a show of contempt.
Sovereignty in the eternal capital of the people of Israel is not relinquished in exchange for relief for tourists to New York.
The fate of Jerusalem is in our hands.
It must not be given up.