(JNS) The U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate General, the latter of which has served as the diplomatic office for Palestinians, will merge next month, reported Reuters, citing a U.S. official. Both are in Jerusalem.

“The merger of the consulate and the embassy will take place on March 4 or 5, at which point the position of the consul-general will end,” said the U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as the date has not been officially announced yet.

The decision was made in October to “achieve significant efficiencies and increase our effectiveness,” according to the U.S. State Department.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in October that the move does not alter U.S. policy on Jerusalem, the West Bank or Gaza.