The White House announced that Donald Trump will not move the embassy to Jerusalem at this time so as to advance peace talks. AIPAC and Netanyahu were disappointed by the news. Obama’s former ambassador Dan Shapiro calls for the embassy move later this year, so as to “shatter Pal myth” that Jews don’t have a connection to Jerusalem.
U.S. President Donald Trump faces a deadline this Thursday about whether to renew a presidential waiver to delay recognizing occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and relocating the U.S. embassy there from Tel Aviv. Jonathan Cook writes, “Whether Trump signs the waiver or not on Thursday, all indications are that the US president – faced with domestic pressures and an intransigent Israeli government – is going nowhere with his ‘ultimate deal'”.
Moving the US embassy to Jerusalem is something Trump is for because of the “whisper” of some Jews, Abe Foxman said, but the Israeli government doesn’t really want it, and it could “undo progress”
Donald Trump seems to have cold feet about moving U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, with his spokesperson saying he will consult “stakeholders” in a “decision-making process.”
“I am not a person who breaks promises,” incoming President Donald Trump said this week about his plan to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, but the move is sparking angry protest around the world. “His plan would legitimize theft of Palestinian land,” says Institute for Middle East Understanding. “Madness,” says Tom Friedman.
One of the major questions facing the incoming Trump administration is whether it will move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Commentators agree it could have far-reaching consequences and embolden Israel’s right-wing. What may come as a surprise is that it could also end up further isolating Israel. “It increases the possibility that other countries—specifically the Europeans—that simply tag along behind the United States are going to have to start to make policy [decisions] for themselves…where they exact some form of consequence on Israel,” Ali Abunimah tells Mondoweiss.
The Times of Israel has reported that the Trump transition team “has begun exploring the logistics of moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv, and checking into sites for its intended new location,” adding that the site being considered was formerly the location of the Allenby Barracks, the site of the British army’s Jerusalem garrison during the Mandate. However, research by Walid Khalidi shows the site being considered is Palestinian private property stolen from its owners. Khalidi says the move would recklessly violate U.S. and international law.
Trump can’t stop talking about moving the embassy to Jerusalem; and Netanyahu is looking forward to the new president, thereby driving a wedge between himself and American Jewry.