Trump Suspends Transfer of U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem for Six Months

On Thursday, June 1, the President of the United States signed an order suspending the transfer of the U.S. embassy in Israel to the city of Jerusalem. According to reports, with this signature from Donald Trump, the transfer of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem has been postponed for at least another six months. A White House spokesperson announced that Trump made this decision to 'improve the chances of successful negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.' The White House statement also noted that 'this action does not represent a retreat from the President's strong support for Israel and the alliance between the U.S. and Israel.' The White House described this decision as being in line with 'America's heavy commitments to defend its security interests,' adding that 'the President has repeatedly stated that the issue is not whether the embassy will be moved, but only the timing of it.' However, this is the first time since Trump took office that he has signed an order to suspend the U.S. embassy transfer to Jerusalem. The last time Barack Obama signed such an order was a month and a half before leaving the White House. Thus, Donald Trump has repeated a pattern that his predecessors, Barack Obama, George Bush, and Bill Clinton, have followed since 1995. A U.S. congressional resolution from 1995, during Bill Clinton's presidency, mandates the U.S. government to transfer the embassy to Jerusalem. However, all U.S. presidents have used a clause in that resolution to suspend its implementation every six months. During his election campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly stated that upon becoming president, he would immediately transfer the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the President of Egypt, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and other leaders of Arab and Islamic countries have recently advised Trump to refrain from fulfilling this electoral promise, warning of 'severe consequences.' In response to Trump's order, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed disappointment, stating that this 'U.S. decision makes peace further away and more difficult.' According to Netanyahu, the failure to transfer the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem creates the 'illusion' among Palestinians that the Jewish nation and the Jewish state have no connection to the ancient city of Jerusalem, which has been the ancestral home of the Jews. Nevertheless, Netanyahu's office expressed 'appreciation' for Trump's 'friendship' towards Israel. On the other hand, the Palestinian Authority warmly welcomed the U.S. government's decision, calling it a 'positive, important, and peace-promoting measure.' The Palestinian Authority's office stated that 'the action of the U.S. President reflects that country's willingness to build trust, especially following successful negotiations in Riyadh and Trump's recent meetings with Mahmoud Abbas.' Trump signed the order to suspend the transfer of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem just a week after his trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories. During that trip, Trump committed to being a fair mediator for peace between them. A week after the U.S. President's visit to the region, the first signs of contacts between senior Israeli and Palestinian officials have emerged. Reports indicate that a senior delegation of Israeli ministers met on Wednesday evening in Ramallah with Rami Hamdallah, the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, and several ministers of that government. Moshe Kahlon, Israel's Minister of Finance, stated that the main focus of his discussions with the Palestinian Prime Minister was on economic issues and ways to assist the Palestinian Authority's economy. Meanwhile, the Israeli Ministry of Finance announced that the Netanyahu government has informed the Palestinian Authority that it has agreed to further construction for Palestinians in areas known as 'C,' where Israel maintains security control. The Netanyahu government also stated that unauthorized homes built by Palestinians in 'C' areas will not be demolished.