US plan to reopen Jerusalem consulate is 'bad idea': Israel

Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Wednesday called the US plan to reopen its consulate in Jerusalem a "bad idea" and said that it could destabilise the new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's government

"We think it's a bad idea, and we've told the Americans we think it's a bad idea," said Yair Lapid in a speech on Wednesday.

"We think this might destabilize this government, and I don't think the American administration wants this to happen" he added.

The US embassy was moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as a way for former US President Donald Trump to show support for Israel's claim on the city. The Palestinians want East Jerusalem to be the capital of their hoped-state.

The embassy has been closed since 2019, and US President Joe Biden has pledged to reopen the consulate with an intention to restore ties with the Palestinians.

"We know that the [Biden] administration has a different way of looking at this, but since it is happening in Israel, we are sure they are listening to us very carefully," said Israeli foreign minister, Yair Lapid.

Wasel Abu Youssef, an official with the umbrella Palestine Liberation Organization, said that Israel is trying to keep the status quo and block any political solution.

Israel's claim on Jerusalem as its undivided capital is not recognised internationally. The east part of the city was captured by Israel in 1967, in the six-day war, along with the occupied West Bank and Gaza.

Lapid said that he is a devoted believer in the two-state solution but added that "we will have to admit the fact this is not feasible in the current situation". The US embassy has not responded to the statement yet.