United States Government has said that it’s considering two options for her future embassy facility in Israel, adding that Jerusalem itself, has final status issue to be resolved through direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
State Department Spokesman, Ned Price made this known in a Press Briefing on Wednesday while responding on the US embassy issue in Jerusalem where it was alleged that the embassy was built on land that was confiscated from the Palestinians.
According to him, “Primarily because there has been some misinformation or some misimpressions about our plans. To be very clear, we have not decided on which site to pursue.
“A number of factors, including the history of the various sites that are in contention will be part of that very site selection process.
“We are committed, as you know, Said, to keeping the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem. The United States recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital”, Price stated.
He further mentioned the two sites to be considered as the Allenby site and the Arnona site. “But again no decision has been made on site selection. In accordance with Israeli law, we started the process to amend the town plan for both potential locations”.
Adding that the public comment period for the Allenby site remains open. “We also expect to advance the plan for the Arnona site shortly, with a separate comment period to open soon.
“The reason there is a comment period is so that we can garner a fuller sense of public reaction, public response to sites that may be in contention”, he explained.
States Department Spokesman noted that the public comment periods will allow the public to voice any objections to the proposed zoning changes before the district committee asks for any adjustments to those proposed zoning changes.
“Construction, location, and a range of other factors, including as I said before the history of these very sites will be part of that ultimate site selection”, the State Department Spokesman said.