In what is seen as a decisive but controversial move, President Trump will be announcing on Wednesday, December 6, that the U.S. recognizes Jerusalem to be the official capital of Israel.
President Trump will also sign a waiver to delay moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, just as he did six months ago and Presidents before him have done for the past two decades.
Despite the waiver, however, the State Department has been directed to plan the move to Jerusalem, which could take another three to four years, according to officials.
The U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem will also not be immediately designated as the U.S. embassy for “security and logistical reasons.”
Senior officials from the Palestine Liberation Organization and other pro-Palestine groups had earlier warned that recognizing Israel’s control over Jerusalem would preclude the U.S. from any further role in Middle East peace negotiations.
There are also concerns from several quarters that the decision to declare Jerusalem as Israel’s official capital city could spark protests from pro-Palestine groups in the region.
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