JERUSALEM, February 25, 2026 (Agencies): The United States embassy in Israel has announced that it will begin offering consular services to American citizens living in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, marking a first-of-its-kind move.
According to the embassy, consular officers will provide routine passport services this Friday in the settlement of Efrat, located south of Bethlehem. Until now, U.S. citizens residing in settlements were required to travel to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv for such services.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian officials and international observers. The Palestinian Authority condemned the move, calling it a violation of international law and a step toward legitimizing settlements considered illegal under UN resolutions. Hamas described the decision as a “dangerous precedent” and “a practical recognition of the legitimacy of colonial settlements.” Several Palestinian resistance groups said the move supports Israel’s settlement expansion and annexation policies.
Settlement expansion remains one of the most contentious issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the U.S. embassy framed the decision as a service-oriented measure for American citizens, critics argue it carries strong political implications by normalizing the presence of U.S. officials in settlements.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with international bodies continuing to view Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal under international law.