Netanyahu's speech via satellite at AIPAC. Times of Israel diplomatic correspondent Raphael Ahren wrote an article regarding a speech by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.   The speech was given by Netanyahu at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington by satellite to approximately 18,000 people in attendance.   AIPAC is a lobbying organization that promotes pro-Israel policy to Congress and the President of the United States.  Ahren’s highlights of the speech were the reference to U.S. Congresswomen of the 5th District of Minnesota , Ilhan Omar’s tweet, Netanyahu’s thanking the United States President Donald Trump for recognizing Golan Heights as territory of Israel, Netanyahu’s defense against criticism of Israel’s basic law regarding nation-state, and Netanyahu rebuking anti-Semitism.  A tweet by Omar in February, Ahren said, referred to AIPAC’s influence on American politics when she said, “It’s all about the Benjamins baby.”  Omar’s r

The former U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem. Ma’an News Agency contributors assembled an article regarding the merging of the U.S. Consulate and the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.   The article specified that the consulate served the Palestinian population who live in Jerusalem.   Prior to the merger, the consulate was also the primary means of communication between the U.S. and Palestinian leadership.   As a result of the merger, the consulate will no longer be independent.   The writers of the article criticize the notion Palestinians will now have to work with an organization that is subservient to David Friedman, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel.   The spokesperson of the U.S. Deputy State Department, Robert Palladino was quoted stating that there will be a complete continuity of diplomacy by the U.S. Embassy, as well as services previously provided by the consulate, executed by a new Palestinian Affairs Unit throughout and after the merger.   Palladino assures continuity of U.S. poli