CNN quoted an Israeli official as saying that US President Joe Biden is considering visiting East Jerusalem during his upcoming tour in Israel, during his possible visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories next month.
The American network quoted the unnamed Israeli official that Biden might visit the Al-Makassed Islamic Association hospital in East Jerusalem (which provides medical services to the Palestinians, including residents of the West Bank and Gaza Strip).
Biden is expected to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Israeli President Isaac Herzog in West Jerusalem.
The Israeli official indicated that the plans regarding the visit were not completed, while there was no official comment from all sides, whether American, Israeli or Palestinian, but Israeli media, including the official broadcaster, said that this step, if it took place, would have a political meaning. It is clear that Jerusalem is divided, while on the official Israeli level the city is considered united.
Israel considers East and West Jerusalem its capital, which is rejected by the Palestinians, who assert that East Jerusalem is the capital of the future Palestinian state, and the international community has not accepted Israel's position regarding Jerusalem.
An American delegation visited Israel early this month to discuss plans for the US president's expected visit at the end of next June. This will be Biden's first visit to the region since his arrival at the White House early last year.
It is noteworthy that the Biden administration pledged to reopen the US Consulate General in East Jerusalem after it was closed by former US President Donald Trump, but without clarification of a specific date for this matter.
The Israeli government has repeatedly announced its opposition to the reopening of the US Consulate in Jerusalem.
US President Joe Biden had said in previous statements that he supports the establishment of a democratic and sovereign Palestinian state, but Biden maintained his predecessor Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem, both eastern and western, as the capital of Israel.