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Trump May Recognize Jerusalem As Israel's Capital — What Could It Mean?

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Tourists view the skyline of Jerusalem in this 2000 file photo. (AP)
Tourists view the skyline of Jerusalem in this 2000 file photo. (AP)

President Trump may this week recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and perhaps move the U.S. embassy there. We're looking at the ramifications on the Israel-Palestine peace process and elsewhere.

This show airs Tuesday at 10 a.m. EST.

Guests:

Josef Federman, AP bureau chief for Israel and the Palestinian territories. (@joseffederman)

Khalil Shikaki, professor of political science and the director of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. (@KShikaki)

Alon Ben David, senior defense correspondent for Israel Channel 10 TV. (@alonbd)

Steven Simon, visiting professor of history at Amherst College and former United States National Security Council senior director of the Middle East and North Africa under presidents Obama and Clinton.

From Tom's Reading List:

Times of IsraelArab League Warns Trump Against Recognizing Jerusalem As Israeli Capital — "The Arab League chief said on Sunday a decision by US President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital would boost fanaticism and violence, and not serve the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Trump’s son-in-law and Middle East peace envoy Jared Kushner told the Saban Forum on Sunday the president is close to a decision on whether to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital but has yet to make up his mind."

Associated Press: Arab, Muslim Opposition Building To Any US Nod On Jerusalem — "Vociferous Arab and Muslim opposition was building Tuesday to any possible U.S. recognition of the hotly contested city of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Turkey threatened to cut ties with Israel, the Palestinians warned they would halt contacts with their U.S. counterparts — and key Washington ally Saudi Arabia spoke out strongly against such a possible step."

ABC News: What's At Stake If The U.S. Recognizes Jerusalem As Israel's Capital — "By law, President Trump must decide today whether to sign a waiver that would delay a move of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv by another six months, State Department officials told ABC News. He has already signed the waiver once. Now he is faced with a choice between sticking to his campaign promises or taking the more diplomatic route of his predecessors."

Since the founding of Israel, no American president has said the United States recognizes Jerusalem as its capital.  This week, Donald Trump could change that.  We don’t know.  Previous presidents have acknowledged Palestinian claims on the city and said make it part of a final settlement.  There are signals President Trump may move anyway.  The repercussions could be wide.  Jared Kushner is in the thick of it.  Maybe the Saudis too.  This hour, On Point:  The Trump White House and the fate of Jerusalem. --Tom Ashbrook

This program aired on December 5, 2017.

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