||| Flickr / U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv |||
Following former President Barack Obama’s betrayal on Israel, Donald Trump’s administration has now started fixing the country’s relation with its ally. According to sources, Trump is expected to announce the relocation of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which will formally recognize the latter as the capital of Israel.
Ever since his presidential campaign, Trump has maintained close ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During one of their meetings, the U.S. president stated that he intends to move the country’s embassy to Jerusalem.
According to Independent, Israeli news outlet Channel 2 noted that a source close to the White House claimed that Trump is expected to make the announcement regarding the move this week.
Although the relocation of the embassy is largely being viewed by some as a violation of the U.S.’ foreign policy, it could amend the recently shaken relationship between the country and Israel. Last month, Obama’s administration made a shocking move by deciding not to veto the U.N. Security Council’s resolution regarding Israel’s settlements in Jerusalem.
The decision has been regarded as anti-Israel, as it would allow the U.N. Security Council to classify the settlements as illegal.
But, following Trump’s administration, Israel went against the resolution by approving the construction of more than 500 housing units in East Jerusalem. According to the Jerusalem Post, the project was approved by the Local Planning and Building Committee of the Jerusalem Municipality.
Aside from the over 500 house that will be built, city officials are also discussing the construction 5,000 kore residential units in various parts of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem Mayor Bir Barkat applauded the project and noted that for years, the city has suffered due to Obama and the U.N.’s anti-Israel sentiment.
“We went through eight difficult years of Obama’s pressure to freeze construction… and often delayed marketing apartments because of pressure from the U.S.,” he said.
