US President Donald Trump has chosen to suspend moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, as indicated by talks he’s had with leaders in the region, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas. He is, however, expected to declare Jerusalem as Israel’s capital on Wednesday.
Trump’s decision to suspend the relocation of the embassy comes amid a wave of international pressure against his plans regarding Jerusalem. Earlier on Tuesday, Morocco issued a sharp letter to Trump, signed by leaders of 57 Arab and Muslim countries, warning him of the possible ramifications. Saudi King Salman, in call with Trump, warned that moving the embassy or recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel would be a “flagrant provocation of Muslims all over the world”
“Jerusalem needs to remain a base of co-existence and tolerance,” the letter said. “Moving the US embassy there would impact the prospect of reaching a just agreement to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The entire Middle East region is experiencing deep crises which compel us to avoid any steps that might lead to further anger and frustration, which might then spark extremism and terror.”
