Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered the State Department to close its Office of Palestinian Affairs and fold it into the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.

“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,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in Tuesday’s press briefing. “Ambassador [Mike] Huckabee will take the steps necessary to implement the merger over the coming weeks.

“The United States remains committed to its historic relationship with Israel, bolstering Israel’s security and securing peace to create a better life for the entire region.”

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