“President Donald Trump will recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital on Wednesday despite intense Arab, Muslim and European opposition to a move that would upend decades of U.S. policy and risk potentially violent protests,” per the Associated Press.
“Trump will instruct the State Department to begin the multi-year process of moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city, U.S. officials said Tuesday. It remains unclear, however, when he might take that physical step, which is required by U.S. law but has been waived on national security grounds for more than two decades.”
The Palestinian terrorist group Hamas is purportedly preparing for a day or even days “rage” in protest of Trump’s decision. Even some U.S.-friendly voices are criticizing the decision, among them Great Britain, Germany, and France.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not made an official statement regarding the embassy’s move, but is expected to do so after President Trump’s announcement, according to the Washington Post.
Closer to home, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in an interview with The Weekly Standard that he encouraged the President to declare Jerusalem the “undivided” capital of Israel. But not all Democratic representatives agree with the Senate minority leader.
The decision to move the American embassy and recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital was a 2016 campaign promise for President Trump.
