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Israel is unlikely to take extreme measures in order to prevent the Biden administration from reopening its consulate in Jerusalem for the Palestinian Authority if the White House insists on moving forward with its controversial step. Washington would have to consider what it would mean for its international reputation if it flagrantly violated an international treaty and acted contrary to international law a former Israeli diplomat told Arutz Sheva.

Former Israeli ambassador to Canada and director of the Institute for Contemporary Affairs at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs Alan Baker told Arutz Sheva that if the US decides to move ahead with the reopening of the consulate in Jerusalem, Israel is unlikely to block the US from doing so, even though reopening the consulate over Israeli objections would violate international convention.

“The US administration can take this act, but it will be consider a very non – diplomatic step between the two countries,” Baker said regarding the feasibility of the Biden administration reopening the consulate over Israeli objections. “The question is whether it wants to risk getting into a row with the Israel government.”

“It’s highly unlikely that the Israeli government would act to prevent the US from opening a consulate. The US is Israel’s greatest ally.”

While Baker explained in a recent article that under international law, the sovereign power must give consent for a foreign relation to open a consulate on its territory, practically speaking, the dispute between the US and Israel is more political than legal.

“It’s not so much of a legal issue but more political.”