Donald Trump set to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel, says official

The announcement is expected to come on Wednesday
Getty Images
Martin Coulter1 December 2017

Donald Trump is likely to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel on Wednesday, according to a senior White House official.

The unnamed official told news site Politico the US President plans to confirm American recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the territory.

Mr Trump has been a longstanding supporter of the Israeli government, enjoying a personal relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu above most other world leaders.

Israel has held total dominion over the western half of Jerusalem since the Six Day War in 1967, when it also occupied the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

As a candidate in the 2016 presidential election, Mr Trump promised to move the US Embassy in Israel from its current location, in Tel Aviv, to Jerusalem.

Experts say the president's willingness to subvert years of American impartiality on the matter will only worsen an ongoing crisis.

His son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kushner, is currently working to restart peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

A White House spokesman told Politico: “The president has always said it is a matter of when, not if. The president is still considering options and we have nothing to announce.”

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