The move is a break with years of United Nations policy that has refused to recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the city because of the long-standing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Trump has also flagged fulfilling an election promise to move the US embassy to Jerusalem. The US, Australia and other foreign countries have only ever maintained consulates in the city, keeping their embassies in Tel Aviv to show their neutrality.
The White House insists the change won’t affect the chances of reaching peace in the Middle East – despite the State Department issuing warnings to its citizens and diplomats there about protests.
Already experts are predicting the announcement will inflame tensions in the area.
But for us, it sadly fits perfectly with a president who has already broken away from major allies on a range of key issues, including the dumping of the Paris Climate Accord and the threat to throw out an international nuclear deal with Iran.
An interesting insight too from Trump’s lawyer John Dowd in a new interview:
A “president cannot obstruct justice because he is the chief law enforcement officer under [the Constitution’s Article II]and has every right to express his view of any case,” he says.
A president who believes he is above the law? Help us all.
