Israel braces for Palestinian backlash following Trump’s announcement on Jerusalem

By Israel Hayom— Hours before an expected announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump officially recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and declaring a clear intent to relocate the American embassy there, the Israeli defense establishment braced for potential Palestinian backlash. Israeli defense officials did not take lightly Palestinian threats to stage “day of rage” demonstrations in…

Report: US Quietly Taking Major Steps Toward Moving Israeli Embassy

By Benjamin Kerstein, Algemeiner— With the world poised for President Donald Trump’s expected statement on Wednesday that the US recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, American officials are quietly taking major steps toward moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city, a leading Israeli publication reported. According to Israel’s Channel 2, sources have…

Embassy waiver lapses – is embassy move underway?

By David Rosenberg The security waiver used by every president since Bill Clinton to avoid implementation of a 1995 law requiring the US embassy in Israel be relocated to the capital city of Jerusalem lapsed Monday night amid speculation President Donald Trump could officially recognize the city as Israel’s capital or even announce an embassy moveas early as this week.…

This is Huge

By ALEXANDER FULBRIGHT, TOI— The report said the plan, many of whose tenets mirrored those favored by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, raised consternation among Abbas and other Arab officials as to the US’s intentions for an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan and whether the powerful crown prince was acting on behalf of the Trump administration. Among the…

Storm Clouds Gathering

By Isi Leibler, Israel Hayom— The Syrian civil war is almost over. President Basher Assad remains in power, and Iran and its proxy Hezbollah are the clear victors. Disconcertingly, the Americans and Russians have apparently agreed to let Hezbollah and Iranian ground forces remain, threatening Israel’s northern borders. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has given…