Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Ron Dermer, declared his support Tuesday night for President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Dermer told a crowd at an Israeli embassy Hanukkah party in Washington there were two good reasons to support the Republican’s intentions to move the embassy.
“The reasons why the United States should move the embassy I think are pretty clear … The first thing, it would send a strong message against the delegitimization of Israel and of Jerusalem.
“The second reason why I think the embassy should be moved to our capital is that it would be a great step forward to peace. That’s right. A great step forward to peace,” Dermer said, according to a Politico report.
David Friedman, Trump’s selection for U.S. diplomat to Israel, announced support for Trump’s plan to move the embassy in a statement issued shortly after Trump chose him earlier this month.
The move could pose a serious problem for U.S. relations with Palestine. The top negotiator for the Palestine Liberation Organization predicted on Monday that there would be “bloodshed” and the discontinuation of diplomatic relations with Israel should the U.S. relocate the embassy.
