Trump keeps US embassy in Tel Aviv instead of Jerusalem
Trump temporarily waives law requiring US to move embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, keeping embassy in Tel Aviv for now.
- World
- AFP
- Published Date: 12:00 | 01 June 2017
- Modified Date: 05:31 | 01 June 2017
President Donald Trump has decided not to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem for now, a US official said Thursday, shying away from a major campaign promise.
An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Trump had signed a legal waiver that keeps the embassy in Tel Aviv, but insisted this was delay not a reversal.
"It's a question of when, not if," the official said, adding that "he doesn't think the timing is right, right now."
"In timing such a move he will seek to maximize the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians."
A formal announcement is expected later Thursday.