U.S. closes Palestinian Affairs Office in Jerusalem amid ongoing Israeli violence in Gaza

The United States has formally shut down its Office of Palestinian Affairs in Jerusalem, ending a dedicated diplomatic channel to the Palestinian territories, news outlets reported. The move, effective May 16, 2025, follows Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement that the office would be merged into the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.

Established in 2022, the office had served as the primary point of contact for U.S. engagement with the West Bank and Gaza, employing over 90 staff. Its responsibilities will now fall under the authority of U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee. The closure comes amid intensifying Israeli military operations in Gaza, where over 53,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since October 2023.

U.S. officials said the office’s dissolution aligns with previous policies from the Trump administration, though they emphasized it does not signal reduced outreach to Palestinians. However, critics argue the move marks a further downgrading of U.S.-Palestinian relations during a time of escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in the region.