Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) appears to have become the first Democrat to raise objections about the Biden administration’s plan to reopen the U.S. consulate for Palestinians in Jerusalem.
“The Biden administration has announced its intention to reopen a U.S. consulate in Jerusalem. Any new diplomatic facility must be agreed to by Israel,” Gottheimer said in a statement.
Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid held a joint press conference where they announced their united opposition to the consulate reopening, saying that the Biden administration should consider opening one near Ramallah, the de facto capital of the Palestinian Authority.
Gottheimer, who is known for his pro-Israel views, has so far been the sole Democratic congress member to come out against the administration’s plan.
Republicans have been outspoken on the issue. In early November, 200 House Republicans signed a letter “strongly opposing” the consulate for Palestinians. It was followed by a resolution introduced by Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and co-signed by 35 Republican senators aimed to block Biden’s plan to reopen the consulate.