Trump Rejects Moving US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem Within a Year

On Wednesday, January 17, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, rejected the transfer of the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem within the next year. On December 6, Trump recognized Jerusalem (Al-Quds) as the capital of Israel and promised to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to this city. This decision by Trump has sparked widespread international reactions. However, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, during his visit to India on Wednesday, told Israeli reporters regarding the US embassy transfer to Jerusalem: 'My assessment is that (the transfer) will happen much quicker than you think, within the next year.' In response to a question from Reuters about Netanyahu's statements, Trump said: 'By the end of the year? We are talking about various scenarios - meaning it would be temporary. We are really not looking at such a thing. (The answer) is no.' Reuters reports that Rex Tillerson, the US Secretary of State, said last month that the process of transferring the US embassy to Jerusalem would take at least three years, as US officials believe that the transfer requires multiple actions, including site selection and housing for diplomats. The UN General Assembly rejected the US President's decision in a resolution on December 21, which was passed with 128 votes in favor and 9 against among the 193 UN member states, opposing any change in the status of Jerusalem. According to a 1995 US congressional resolution, the United States must eventually move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. However, until now, all US presidents, both Republicans and Democrats, have signed a waiver every six months that effectively delayed the implementation of this resolution. Although Trump emphasized the transfer of the US embassy during his presidential campaign, he signed the waiver in the first six months, like previous presidents. Israel considers Jerusalem as its capital, while Palestinians also want East Jerusalem, which has been occupied by Israel since 1967, to be declared the capital of an independent Palestinian state. The 1993 peace agreement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization stipulated that the final status of this historic city would be determined in advanced peace negotiations between the two sides; however, the peace process has been stalled for years.