BICOM

The press secretary for the incoming US President said yesterday that an announcement is expected soon over the possibility of relocating the US Embassy in Israel from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv.

When asked about Donald Trump’s campaign pledge to move the embassy to Jerusalem, Sean Spicer said that reporters should “stay tuned” and that “there will be a further announcement”.

Spicer’s comment comes a day after Trump told senior Israel Hayom reporter Boaz Bismuth: “Of course I remember what I said about Jerusalem… you know that I am not a person who breaks promises.”

However, in his final press conference as President on Wednesday, Barack Obama cautioned against any hasty moves, telling reporters that “the actions we take have enormous consequences and ramifications”.

He added: “If you’re going to make big shifts in policy, just make sure you’ve thought it through.”

Hundreds of Palestinians participated in demonstrations in the West Bank cities of Hebron, Ramallah and Nablus yesterday, calling on Trump not to relocate the US embassy to Jerusalem. In recent weeks, Palestinian leaders have warned of serious consequences to such a move.

Also yesterday outgoing US Ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, met Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the last time in his term.

A statement from Netanyahu’s office said he “thanked [Shapiro] for years of joint work and for his contribution to the strategic and important alliance between the US and Israel”.

Shapiro was also hosted by President Reuven Rivlin and the Knesset’s Lobby for US-Israel Relations at farewell events in his honour.

Trump’s inauguration today will be attended by Israeli leaders from West Bank communities. Samaria Regional Council Head Yossi Dagan, Efrat Mayor Oded Revivi and Ma’ale Adumim Mayor Benny Kashriel were all invited via US Congressional contacts.

Revivi said that their attendance will be “an indication that we are an important partner in any dialogue that is taking place or is going to take place about this region”.