Knesset Passes Law Prohibiting New Diplomatic Consulates in Jerusalem

The Knesset passed an amendment to the Basic Law: Jerusalem, Capital of Israel, on Tuesday prohibiting the establishment of diplomatic missions in Jerusalem that are not embassies. “Jerusalem is the core of our sovereignty," declared MK Dan Illouz (Likud), who co-sponsored the bill along with MK Ze’ev Elkin (New Hope). Illouz added that this measure “makes it clear once and for all that Jerusalem is ours and is not for sale."

Elkin said that “those who wish to establish a foreign mission in Jerusalem will have to act according to this law and the mission will be obligated to provide service to the residents of the State of Israel. Jerusalem is the eternal and indivisible capital of the State of Israel and no country will be allowed to challenge our sovereignty in the united Jerusalem.”

Most of the governments that have embassies in Israel keep them in Tel Aviv as a way of signaling that they do not recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital city.