The pushback Trump is reportedly getting not to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel isn’t just from one or two aides, but from many across a large portion of the administration:
CNN – Top officials at the State Department, Department of Defense and the US intelligence community are urging the White House not to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, warning that such a decision would be harmful to the peace process and carry broader regional risks, a senior administration official and several US officials told CNN.
The pushback comes as President Donald Trump mulls the possibility of changing US policy toward Jerusalem and moving the US embassy there during his visit to the city next week.
The warnings from US officials across government agencies — including from some inside the West Wing — add to the steady stream of cautionary advice Gulf state diplomats and top Arab officials have shared with Trump and top White House advisers.
Despite those warnings, some of Trump’s top advisers are urging him to make good on his promise to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and announce plans to move the embassy there during his visit next week, and Trump has yet to reach a decision, two White House officials confirmed.
I think it’s pretty clear that Trump wants to do this, as this out of Netanyahu’s office today confirms it:
BREAKING: Netanyahu's office releases parts of transcript from meeting with Trump on 15/2 showing he ask for US embassy to move to Jerusalem
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) May 15, 2017
If I had to hedge a guess, I suspect Trump won’t follow through with his campaign promise on the issue. He’ll put the prospect of peace above the recognition of Jerusalem to keep the palestinians from running away from the table.
But who knows, I could be wrong. I’d like to be wrong, so we’ll see how that goes.
UPDATE: So here’s this:
Israeli government's real position on the embassy move to Jerusalem is not at all clear. @GOPIsrael says Netanyahu is holding up move. https://t.co/dZaK5ouMtL
— Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) May 15, 2017
Everyone I've spoken to in DC that has been briefed on #Jerusalem embassy move says #Netanyahu told #Trump not to move embassy at this time https://t.co/z7fAjuJiib
— Conor Powell (@ConormPowell) May 15, 2017
Not sure if Bibi told Trump don't move the embassy to Jerusalem but I'm 100% sure it was the message the White House got on day of the call https://t.co/IItgMkWAa2
— Andrew Beatty (@AndrewBeatty) May 15, 2017