US Palestinian mission renamed and now reports directly to Washington

Move comes after former president Donald Trump controversially closed consulate and redesignated it in 2018

The US diplomatic mission to the Palestinians in Jerusalem has been redesignated and will report directly to Washington on substantive matters", signalling an upgrade in ties prior to a planned visit by the president, Joe Biden.

What was formerly called the Palestinian Affairs Unit" (PAU) was renamed the US Office of Palestinian Affairs" (OPA) under the move. Before becoming the PAU, it had been the US consulate in Jerusalem and a focus of Palestinian statehood goals in the city.