Issues

US-Israel Relationship

Jerusalem Approves Expanded US Embassy

01/13/2021

The Jerusalem Municipality’s Building and Planning committee approved plans for a new US embassy building in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion called it a “historic and exciting moment,” and that he thinks it will inspire other countries to move to the capital.

“After two years, we’re thrilled the local planning committee finally approved it,” Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum said. “We’ve been waiting for a very, very long time and we’re happy it finally passed.”

The approved plans include expanding the current embassy site in Arnona, as well as the construction of a new embassy on Derech Hebron. They will need additional approval from a district council, but it’s expected to pass easily.

The approval went through a week before US President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. Though Biden has said he would not move the US embassy back to Tel Aviv, a municipality source expressed reassurance at the decision being made before the change of presidents.

Read More: Jerusalem Post