In a significant policy shift, the United States is offering on-the-ground consular services in two Israeli settlements located in the occupied West Bank for the first time. This initiative is part of a program to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, with services scheduled to be available only for one day in the Efrat settlement, about 12 kilometers south of Jerusalem. This sets a precedent, contradicting previous US policy regarding services in occupied territories and raises questions about the implications for American involvement in the region.

The US embassy in Jerusalem announced that American citizens would receive passport services in Efrat, which is home to around 12,000 Israelis. This decision marks a departure from the practice of limiting consular services strictly to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, hence potentially expanding formal US recognition of settlements considered illegal under international law. The embassy has stated that this is part of a broader initiative to engage more with American citizens living abroad, highlighting a growing complexity in US-Israel relations.

Palestinian leaders have condemned this development, viewing it as a direct violation of international law and as an endorsement of the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories. The presence of individuals with dual American and Israeli citizenship in the West Bank is substantial, making this new service equally contentious and raising further concerns about the future of peace negotiations. The situation reflects a challenging landscape for international diplomacy in a region marked by longstanding tensions and disputes over territorial rights.