President Trump is planning a visit to Israel, his first visit to the Jewish State. Reports suggest the President is looking at the dates May 22-23 for his trip, but this is unconfirmed.The reports also claim that President Trump will visit the Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial Museum during his brief trip in Israel.
President Trump's attitude towards Israel, both during his presidential campaign and since he has stepped into office, have differed greatly from the Obama administration's attitude towards the Jewish state. By the end of Obama's presidency, tension between the US government and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was at an all-time high, and Obama has been called out by some for not supporting America's biggest ally in the Middle East.
President Trump has promised a much more friendly attitude towards Israel.
What's on Trump's trip agenda?
According to a report published by Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot, President Trump plans to announce recognition of Jerusalem as the united capital of Israel.
During his presidential campaign, Trump promised to move the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. According to the Yediot Ahronot report, there is no imminent announcement of embassy relocation. However, Ron DeSantis (R-FL), a congressman who headed a fact-finding mission regarding the potential for an embassy move, thinks differently. As House Oversight National Security Subcommittee Chairman, DeSantis oversees American embassies around the world.
DeSantis believes that during his visit to Israel, President Trump may announce the embassy's relocation.
Moving the Embassy
Moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is a move Israel has been requesting for a long time. Many around the world see the move as contentious because the Arabs and Israelis each believe that they have the right to Jerusalem.
Moving the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is akin to announcing that the US recognizes Israel as the rightful owner of the capital city.
What many do not know is that in 1995, the United States Congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, which was passed to initiate and fund the relocation of the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem no later than May 31, 1999.
Nearly 22 years have passed since the enactment of the law, but the US Embassy remains in Tel Aviv because since the passing of the 1995 law, every president has signed a waiver every six months to delay the move. Past presidents have claimed national security concerns as the reason to delay the move, believing that moving the embassy would lead to Islamist and Arab nationalist attacks on America and its allies.
The six-month waiver signed by President Barack Obama expires on June 1st, which means that Trump could start the moving process just a week after his visit.
Timing of Trump's Trip
President Trump's trip will likely coincide with Jerusalem Day, a national holiday in Israel celebrating the liberation of the Old City of Jerusalem from Jordanian control during the Six Day War in 1967.
This year, Israel will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Jerusalem. Jerusalem Day will be celebrated the night of May 23 and the day of May 24th, part of which overlaps with the projected dates of President Trump's visit.
“What better time could there be to announce the relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem when you are over there celebrating with our Israeli friends this very important 50th anniversary of the liberation of Jerusalem,” said DeSantis.
“I think the announcement of that trip is a signal that it is more likely to happen than not, and will send a powerful signal to other countries around the world that America is back and will stand by our allies and will not let folks cower us into not doing the right thing.”
In addition to likely coinciding with Jerusalem Day, the timing of Trump's trip is significant in that no other US president has visited Israel this early in their administration.
Who's joining the trip?
While details of the trip are still in the works, announcements have already been made about who will accompany President Trump on his first visit to Israel.
Reportedly, Trump's Jewish daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner will join the President. Both Ivanka and Kushner serve as close advisors to the President. It is unclear if first lady Melania Trump will be accompany her husband. The Trump administration has also announced that Nikki Haley, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, and Rex Tillerson, the Secretary of State, will be part of the delegation accompanying Trump.
