Trump to Change Israel’s Capital from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem

During his polarizing 2016 campaign, President Trump garnered many votes from evangelicals and pro-Israel American Jews by sharing his plans to move the American Embassy (in Israel) from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Now, it appears Trump is sticking to his word. On Tuesday, December 5, Trump announced his decision to relocate the embassy and officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. A national security waiver will be signed to keep the embassy in Tel Aviv for the next six months, and the moving process will take several years.

Trump’s decision is conflict-provoking and controversial because Jerusalem is historically the home of several religious sites that are sacred to both Judaism and Islam, and the land has been the subject of unrest in the Middle East for decades. West Jerusalem holds Israel’s government, while East Jerusalem is considered the future capital of a Palestinian state, per Palestine. Moving the American embassy into such a volatile place, and designating it the Israeli capital, will be met with much resistance by Hamas. Politicians and leaders worldwide are certain that this motion will exacerbate the conflict between Palestine and Israel, and anticipate more violence. It is believed that this will undo decades of the United States’ attempt at building peace between the two groups.

Trump met with several key leaders on Tuesday, December 5, many of whom advised against the vexed move. “Moving the U.S. embassy is a dangerous step that provokes the feelings of Muslims around the world,” King Salman of Saudi Arabia stated. Others, including Trump, consider recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is “a long overdue step to advance the peace process.”