Trump To Recognise Jerusalem As Capital Of Israel

US President Donald Trump will recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital but would not immediately move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, senior administration officials have said.

The news comes ahead of an expected speech by Mr Trump on Wednesday.

Arab leaders earlier warned against moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, with one saying this would be “a flagrant provocation to Muslims”.

The status of Jerusalem – a holy site for Israelis and Palestinians – is extremely contentious.

Israel has always regarded Jerusalem as its capital city, while the Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

In recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the US becomes the first country to do so since the foundation of the state in 1948.