President Trump Stalls On Promise To Move U.S. Embassy To Jerusalem

WASHINGTON, DC — President Trump has backed off from his promise to move the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, at least temporarily, the White House announced in a statement Thursday. The administration took a defensive tone in the statement in an apparent attempt to ward off criticism of breaking or delaying a campaign promise.

"While President Donald J. Trump signed the waiver under the Jerusalem Embassy Act and delayed moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem," the statement said, "no one should consider this step to be in any way a retreat from the President's strong support for Israel and for the United States-Israel alliance." (For more information on this and other political stories, subscribe to the White House Patch for daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

It continued: "President Trump made this decision to maximize the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians, fulfilling his solemn obligation to defend America's national security interests. But, as he has repeatedly stated his intention to move the embassy, the question is not if that move happens, but only when."

In a statement, a United Nations spokesperson praised the decision not to move the embassy as "wise," adding that the decision "can contribute to facilitating resumption of genuine peace process."

Molly Hunter, an ABC News reporter, said that Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat was disappointed by the decision.

"I regret President Trump's decision to sign the waiver but am certain that he will keep his word," Hunter quoted the mayor as saying.

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