In a statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it "condemns in the strongest terms the official Israeli campaign to consolidate the occupation and

annexation of Jerusalem and to complete the process of its capture, Judaization and complete separation from its Palestinian surroundings in violation of United Nations resolutions, which affirm that East Jerusalem is an integral part of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, the capital of the eternal State of Palestine."

"One expression of this open Israeli war on Jerusalem is the statements and positions made by more than one Israeli official, rejecting the reopening of the United States Consulate General in Jerusalem, the latest of which was the provocative statement of the radical Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett."

The Ministry noted that Bennett's position "is totally irrelevant, and the basis is that of the United States Administration, which, if it really wants to reopen the consulate, can do so, regardless of Bennett's position or otherwise."

Today, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called for the reopening of the United States consulate in Jerusalem "without any bargaining or barter," stressing that this step will strengthen Palestinian-American relations.

The Ministry called on the United States Administration to declare a clear position on these Israeli statements and positions and to expedite the reopening of the United States Consulate General in Jerusalem.