Trump to keep US embassy in Tel Aviv for 6 months: Sources

US President Donald Trump will keep the US embassy in Tel Aviv for the next six months but will relocate the American diplomatic mission in Israel to Jerusalem al-Quds at “some point” in the future, sources say.

The White House continues to seriously explore options to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli capital, administration sources and US allies told CNN, according to a report published Saturday.

Trump could make an announcement as soon as Tuesday, stating that his administration would sign a waiver to prepare for the transition of the US embassy, a move that could lead to further turmoil in the Middle East as Palestinians consider al-Quds as their future capital.

According to US media outlet, “sources believe that Trump will attempt to soften the announcement for Palestinians, possibly, … by specifying only West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, as opposed to the eastern part of the city.”

PressTV-UN votes to nullify Israeli ‘jurisdiction’ over Jerusalem

The United Nations General Assembly votes to declare as null any Israeli measure to practice jurisdiction over Jerusalem al-Quds.

On the 2016 campaign trail, the real estate mogul vowed to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds, a move indicating that Washington recognizes the city as the capital of Israel.

"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," said a White House spokesperson, while another one asserted that no final decision has been made.

Since US Congress ruled in 1995 that the embassy be relocated from Tel Aviv, every president has deferred the troublesome measure by issuing a six-month waiver.

When Trump faced his first deadline back in June, he also refused to keep his campaign pledge to immediately move the embassy.

According to Washington Post, “he acted, reluctantly, on advice from Cabinet heads, Jordanian King Abdullah II and others, who argued that such a move could ignite violence.”

Trump’s emerging administration was also starting stated efforts to restart so-called Middle East peace talks, which could potentially be harmed by the move.

Read More:

• Hamas warns US against embassy relocation plans
• Dozens of Israeli settlers storm al-Aqsa Mosque

The president, however, has harmed his allegedly peace-seeking agenda by other measures that have alienated Palestinians as his Jewish son-in-law Jared Kushner stays in charge of the so-called peace process.

PressTV-What are President Trump’s plans for Jerusalem al-Quds?

US President is reportedly planning to recognize Jerusalem a-Quds as the capital of Israel.

The Israeli regime, meanwhile, continues its atrocities and expansionist policies in the region.

Hailed as a “great friend to the Jewish people” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump has mended ties with Israel that had gone sour under former President Barack Obama.

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