US to merge Office of Palestinian Affairs into Israeli Embassy

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will merge the Office of Palestinian Affairs into the US Embassy in Jerusalem, the State Department said Tuesday.

"In another important announcement, Secretary Rubio has decided to merge the responsibilities of the Office of Palestinian Affairs fully into other sections of the United States Embassy in Jerusalem," spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters.

"This decision will restore the first Trump term framework of a unified US diplomatic mission in Israel's capital that reports to the US ambassador to Israel," she added.

Ambassador Mike Huckabee will take steps necessary to implement the merger in the coming weeks, she said, adding the US "remains committed to its historic relationship with Israel, bolstering Israel's security and securing peace to create a better life for the entire region."