Israel has approved the transfer of a valuable piece of land in Jerusalem to the United States Embassy under a symbolic lease agreement worth just $1, according to Israeli media reports.
The land, which was previously under the ownership of Palestinians before 1948, is expected to be used for expanding the U.S. Embassy complex.
The agreement is reported to last for several decades, making it one of the most significant property arrangements between the two countries.
The decision has drawn criticism from Palestinian officials and rights groups, who argue that the land belongs to displaced Palestinian families and should not be transferred without addressing their ownership claims.
They say the move could further complicate the long-running dispute over Jerusalem.
Israeli authorities, however, maintain that the transfer follows the country’s legal procedures and strengthens cooperation with the United States. The U.S. Embassy has not issued detailed comments on the reported lease.
Jerusalem remains one of the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Both Israelis and Palestinians claim the city as their capital, and changes involving land ownership or government property often attract international attention.
The reported agreement is expected to add to the ongoing debate over the legal status of Jerusalem and the future of properties claimed by Palestinians before the creation of Israel.
