Israel urges Trump to move US embassy to Jerusalem

Israel's ambassador to the US had called on the Trump administration to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in what would be a highly controversial decision.

MENA

1 min read

�� & agencies

21 December, 2016

For now at least, the US embassy stays on Tel Aviv's sea front [Getty]

Israel's ambassador to the US is urging President-elect Donald Trump's administration to move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

Trump and his nominee for US ambassador to Israel have pledged to move the embassy. But previous Republican presidents have made that promise without following through.

Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer said it would be a "great step forward" for peace. He tells a Hanukkah reception at the Israeli embassy in Washington that it would send a "strong message against delegitimisation of Israel".

The US and nearly every other country have their embassies in Tel Aviv.

Israel considers Jerusalem its capital, but Palestinians claim the illegally-occupied eastern section as the capital for a future Palestinian state.

If the US were to move its embassy it would likely prove another huge hurdle to peace and anger Washington's Arab allies.

US presidents have repeatedly waived a law requiring the embassy to be moved.