Rubio Closes Office of Palestinian Affairs, Merges into Jerusalem Embassy

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered the closure of the State Department’s Office of Palestinian Affairs (OPA), merging its functions into the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and restoring the diplomatic structure established during the Trump administration. The OPA, a Biden-era creation intended to strengthen direct engagement with the Palestinians, operated independently of the embassy and was criticized by Republican lawmakers for allegedly undermining U.S.-Israel relations and for controversial statements during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Critics argued the separate office violated the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, while supporters claimed it ensured the Palestinian perspective was not marginalized. The merger signifies a downgrading of direct U.S. diplomatic outreach to the Palestinians, with all reporting now routed through the U.S. ambassador to Israel. Ambassador Mike Huckabee will oversee the merger, with State Department officials emphasizing the move is part of broader efforts to unify American diplomatic efforts in the region. The decision has sparked debate over its implications for U.S.-Palestinian relations and U.S. policy in the Middle East.