Decision Due Thursday on Trump Pledge to Move U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem

All eyes will be on the White House Rose Garden on Thursday afternoon as President Trump announces whether he will withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate accord, but the day is also a deadline for another decision that, for many, is a test of his willingness to keep a key campaign pledge.By the end of Thursday, Trump will either have had to issue a periodic waiver to avoid complying with U.S. law, or by not doing so will have signaled his intention to go ahead with moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem – a matter of consequence for millions of Jews, Christians and Muslims.Symbolic recognition of Israel’s claims to its ancient capital would place the U.S. at odds with much of the international community, particularly most of the very countries whose leaders Trump sought to rally against terrorism in Riyadh less than a fortnight ago.It would be welcomed by many Israelis, Jews and Christian supporters of Israel.The last three administrations issued six-monthly national security waivers rather than comply with a 1995 law recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and stating that “the United States Embassy in Israel should be established in Jerusalem no later than May 31, 1999.”

 

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