U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Integrates Palestinian Affairs into Jerusalem Embassy; Trump Names Steve Witkoff as Middle East Envoy

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the integration of the Palestinian Affairs Office into the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, reverting to the Trump-era diplomatic structure. This move places all Palestinian-related functions under U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Concurrently, President Donald Trump appointed Steve Witkoff as the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, focusing on ceasefire negotiations and regional diplomacy. Witkoff, a real estate executive, has already engaged with key regional leaders and is tasked with advancing U.S. diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.

Rubio Restores Trump-Era Diplomatic Framework

In a press briefing on Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has decided to dissolve the standalone U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs and merge its responsibilities into the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. This decision reverts to the diplomatic structure implemented during the Trump administration, where all U.S. diplomatic activities in Israel and the Palestinian territories are coordinated through a single embassy reporting to the U.S. ambassador to Israel.

“Secretary Rubio has decided to merge the responsibilities of the office of the Palestinian Affairs Office fully into other sections of the United States Embassy in Jerusalem,” Bruce stated. “This decision will restore the first Trump-term framework of a unified U.S. diplomatic mission in Israel’s capital that reports to the U.S. ambassador to Israel.”

Bruce emphasized that the move is not a reflection of diminished U.S. engagement with Palestinians in the West Bank or Gaza. Instead, it is intended to streamline diplomatic operations and reinforce the U.S. position on Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital, consistent with the U.S. Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 and Trump’s 2017 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Ambassador Mike Huckabee to Oversee Implementation

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has been tasked with overseeing the merger. According to Bruce, Huckabee will begin implementing the necessary changes over the coming weeks. The ambassador, a former Arkansas governor and Trump ally, was appointed to the post earlier this year and is expected to play a central role in managing U.S. diplomatic relations with both Israeli and Palestinian officials under the new structure.

The Israeli government has long opposed the reopening of a separate Palestinian consulate in Jerusalem, arguing that it would undermine the city’s status as Israel’s undivided capital. The Trump administration closed the U.S. consulate to the Palestinians in 2019, and the Biden administration later reestablished the Office of Palestinian Affairs in 2022. Rubio’s decision now reverses that move.

Trump Appoints Steve Witkoff as Special Envoy to the Middle East

In a parallel development, President Donald Trump has appointed real estate developer Steve Witkoff as the new U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East. Witkoff, who was sworn in by Secretary Rubio in an Oval Office ceremony on May 6, 2025, will be responsible for advancing U.S. diplomatic efforts in the region, including ceasefire negotiations and hostage recovery operations.

Trump praised Witkoff’s performance during the swearing-in, highlighting his role in securing an extended ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and facilitating the release of 33 hostages, including two Americans. “He’s been with me, more or less, one way or the other, every step of the way,” Trump said. “I have absolute confidence and support and trust in his ability to secure key deals in the realm of foreign diplomacy.”

Though Witkoff lacks formal diplomatic experience, Trump emphasized his business acumen and negotiation skills. “As a businessman, he’s admired and respected by all, and now Steve is putting his talents to work for America’s special envoy to the United States and making a lot of progress,” Trump said.

Witkoff has already met with several key regional leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and officials from Iran. Trump noted that Witkoff is “working tirelessly to end the bloody and destructive conflicts” in the region.

Witkoff’s Background and Role

Steven Charles Witkoff, a New York-based real estate executive, previously served on Trump’s Great American Economic Revival Industry Group during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was named co-chair of Trump’s 2025 Presidential Inaugural Committee alongside former Senator Kelly Loeffler. Despite his lack of diplomatic background, Witkoff has longstanding business ties in the Middle East and has quickly become a trusted figure in Trump’s foreign policy circle.

Witkoff officially assumed office as Special Envoy on May 6, 2025, with Morgan Ortagus serving as his deputy. His appointment marks the establishment of a new position within the Trump administration’s foreign policy apparatus.

Broader Diplomatic Context

The restructuring of U.S. diplomatic operations in Jerusalem and the appointment of a new Middle East envoy come amid ongoing regional tensions, including the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Trump reiterated his administration’s firm stance on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, stating, “They’re not going to have a nuclear weapon. This is really crunch time.”

The Trump administration’s first term saw the negotiation of the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. The current diplomatic reshuffle appears aimed at building on that legacy while reasserting U.S. support for Israel’s sovereignty over Jerusalem.

References

• State Department to merge Palestinian Affairs Office with US Embassy in Jerusalem
• US is shutting down Office of Palestinian Affairs and merging it into its embassy in Jerusalem
• Trump expresses 'absolute confidence' as Steve Witkoff is sworn in as special Middle East envoy
• Steve Witkoff - Wikipedia
• U.S. Diplomatic Reshuffle: Merging Palestinian Affairs into Jerusalem Embassy | Politics