U.S. to Offer Passport Services in West Bank Settlement for First Time

The U.S. will provide passport services for the first time in a West Bank settlement, specifically in Efrat, as part of efforts to reach American citizens abroad. This move includes plans for similar services in other West Bank locations and Israeli cities. The West Bank settlements are considered illegal by most of the international community, though Israel disputes this. Recent Israeli government measures have eased land acquisition for settlers, drawing Palestinian criticism of de facto annexation. The Trump administration opposes annexation but has not acted to halt settlement growth.