White House Says Jerusalem Embassy Move Report ‘Premature’

White House Says Jerusalem Embassy Move Report ‘Premature’
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White House Says Jerusalem Embassy Move Report ‘Premature’

White House Says Jerusalem Embassy Move Report ‘Premature’

The White House on Wednesday said reports that it is poised to move the US embassy to Jerusalem were "premature," ahead of a decision deadline.

The White House urged caution after the Israeli press suggested a decision would come as soon as Sunday.

"This is a premature report. We have nothing to announce," said press secretary Sarah Sanders.

Trump has so far decided not to fulfill his campaign pledge to shift the embassy from Tel Aviv. But the US president faces a December 4 deadline to publicly restate US policy.

The issue is deeply controversial.

Shifting the building could be seen as a de facto recognition of Israel's claim over the city.

Trump shied away from the move in June in order to "maximize the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians," the White House said at the time.

Trump's advisors have been divided about the wisdom of a sharp shift away from decades-old policy.

US Vice President Mike Pence, who is due to visit Israel next month, said this week that Trump was”actively considering” moving the US embassy.

The decision would delight many Israelis, but dismay Palestinians and raise concerns among Israel's Arab neighbors.



EU Calls on Iran to Engage Seriously in Diplomatic Process

Flags of the European Union and its member states fly in front of the building of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France June 30, 2017. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
Flags of the European Union and its member states fly in front of the building of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France June 30, 2017. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
TT
20

EU Calls on Iran to Engage Seriously in Diplomatic Process

Flags of the European Union and its member states fly in front of the building of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France June 30, 2017. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
Flags of the European Union and its member states fly in front of the building of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France June 30, 2017. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

The European Union called on Iran "to engage seriously in a credible diplomatic process", an EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said on Tuesday.

"This escalation benefits no one, and everybody is concerned by the same thing, which is the spillover effect," El Anouni said.

Israel and Iran on Tuesday accepted a ceasefire plan proposed by President Donald Trump to end their 12-day war that roiled the Middle East, after Tehran launched a limited, retaliatory missile attack on a US military base in Qatar.