Trump will not move US embassy to Jerusalem but could declare it capital city: report

by Josh Delk - 11/30/17 4:29 PM ET

President Trump is expected next month to once again delay the decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which was a major campaign promise.

Trump will likely make the announcement next week, but may also officially declare Jerusalem as Israel’s capital city, officials told The Associated Press.

Both Israelis and Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital.

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Vice President Pence said Tuesday that Trump is “actively considering when and how” to move the embassy, following his pledge during a speech in June that Trump would make good on his promise.

“The days of Israel-bashing at the United Nations are over,” Pence said at a New York event celebrating the 70th anniversary of the United Nations act that eventually established the Jewish state. He promised that the U.S. will support Israel “because her cause is our cause.”

While the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act requires that the U.S. officially move the embassy to the holy city, every president since the act was passed has delayed the actual move.

Trump previously signed a waiver in June to delay the move, saying he would eventually approve the plan but wanted to maintain peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians.

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