10 Things You Should Know about Moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem

Veronica Neffinger | iBelieve Contributor | Updated: Dec 11, 2017

Last week, President Trump announced that the U.S. would officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This decision was met with both fierce support and fierce opposition. While most of the Arab world opposed it and even responded with violent actions, much of Israel and many Americans praised the President's bold move. This decision on the part of the President was also seen by many as paving the way for him to fulfill his campaign promise and move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem--another move that promises to be full of controversy. The U.S. has considered moving its Embassy to Jerusalem for years, but will it really happen under President Trump? That remains to be seen, but here are 10 things you should know about the possible move.

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1. Where is the Embassy now?

The U.S. Embassy in Israel is currently in the city of Tel Aviv, a major city on Isreal's Mediterranean coastline. Tel Aviv is Israel's second largest city, and the U.S. Embassy has been located there since 1966.

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2. Why do Jews/many Americans want the U.S. Embassy moved to Jerusalem?

Many Jews (and Americans) view Jerusalem as Israel's "eternal capital." The city of Jerusalem has ancient significance for Jewish people. In 1949, a little over a year into Israel's nationhood, then Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion declared, "There has always been and always will be one capital only — Jerusalem the eternal. Thus it was 3,000 years ago — and thus it will be, we believe, until the end of time."

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3. Why is the Embassy move so controversial?

Since Israel's founding, and even before that, going back to biblical times, the Middle East has been an unstable area of shifting powers. Both Palestinians and Israelis claim Jerusalem and have clashed over which group has true ties to the city for centuries.

It would also be especially controversial for President Trump to move the Embassy because previous presidents have declined to do so, citing the instability it could cause in the region and in the city itself.

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4. How long would it take to move the Embassy?

Although President Trump often promised to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem in his campaign, his administration has delayed this move for now, but they say they will be moving the Embassy soon. Even after this announcement is made, however, it will take up to three to four years for the move to actually take place.

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5. What does recognizing Jerusalem mean for the Embassy move?

Of course, President Trump's recent announcement that the U.S. is recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is widely seen as setting the stage for the Embassy move. It is a significant way for the President to show that he is serious about his support for Isreal.

Recently, at a ceremony commemorating Israel's 70 years of nationhood, Vice President Mike Pence stated, "President Trump is actively considering when and how to move the American embassy. [The United States] stands with Israel because her cause is our cause, her values are our values and her fight is our fight.”

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6. Will the move actually help achieve peace in the region?

This, of course, is a loaded question which diplomats, world leaders, and experts have been debating for decades. After President Trump's announced that the U.S. will recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, there has been widespread rioting and violence from many in the Arab community, but whether a stronger U.S. policy regarding support for Isreal may help to stabilize the region remains to be seen.

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7. Do other world leaders support moving the Embassy to Jerusalem?

As you might expect, Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu supports moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. He has encouraged President Trump to this end and has already praised the U.S. President for recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Other world leaders are not so supportive of this move, however. French President Emmanuel Macron, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have all warned Trump about moving the Embassy.

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8. Have any other nations ever had their embassies in Jerusalem?

Yes, several countries have had their embassies in Jerusalem, including the Netherlands and Costa Rica. However, in 1980, Israel declared Jerusalem the united capital of Israel. This declaration was opposed by the United Nations Security Council, which in turn caused most countries to move their embassies out of Jerusalem. Costa Rica and El Salvador were reportedly the last countries to do so, in 2006.

9. What steps have been taken in the past to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem?

In 1989 Israel actually began leasing a plot of land in Jerusalem to the U.S. as the future spot for the U.S.'s Embassy in the city. The lease was good for 99 years, but up till now the plot of land has not been developed. The U.S. Congress has even passed a law requiring the U.S. to move the embassy to Jerusalem, but previous presidents before Trump have said that the national security risks posed by moving the embassy were too great.

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10. What should we be watching for next?

Following President Trump's announcement that the U.S. will recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the possibility that the U.S. will also move its Embassy seems much more likely. Be watching for steps in this direction and also keep an eye on the rest of the world's response to such a move.

Publication date: December 11, 2017