The United States has announced that its Office of Palestinian Affairs (OPA) will be merged back into the US Embassy in Jerusalem, marking a significant policy shift. Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed the move, aiming to restore the diplomatic framework that existed during the first term of President Donald Trump.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the merger would integrate the OPA’s responsibilities into other sections of the embassy, all reporting directly to US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. This reorganization re-establishes a unified US diplomatic mission in Israel’s capital.

The OPA, which served as Washington's primary diplomatic channel to the Palestinians, was originally established in 2022 under former president Joe Biden. Its creation was seen as an effort to provide Palestinians with a distinct line of communication with the US government, separate from its embassy in Jerusalem.

With this latest decision, the Biden-era setup is being dismantled in favor of a more centralized approach, reflecting the Trump administration’s stance on diplomatic operations in Israel. Secretary Rubio’s move is expected to reshape how the US engages with Palestinian authorities and may impact broader regional dynamics.

The merger underscores the current administration’s commitment to its diplomatic vision for the region, focusing on streamlining operations and reinforcing US-Israel ties through a single, cohesive mission structure.