What Would Trump Do In Israel — And Who Might Come With Him?
With news that President Trump may visit Israel as soon as next month, Israeli media is speculating about Trump’s agenda on his first foray as president to the Holy Land.
According to a review of the Hebrew press in the Times of Israel, the timing is key, with several publications nothing that Trump’s trip could overlap with Jerusalem Day, on May 23. That would add extra weight and symbolism to Trump’s possible recognition of a united Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Then, a week later, on June 1, the U.S. presidential order to stop the transfer the embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv will expire. But the papers believe that Trump will likely hold back on moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a politically explosive move that he promised during the campaign.
Trump could use the trip to express support for a Palestinian state.
The Israeli media disagrees as to whether First Lady Melania Trump will be joining her husband on the trip. Israel Hayom says she’ll be coming, along with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, but Yedioth Ahronoth says Melania will be staying home.
Contact Naomi Zeveloff at zeveloff@forward.com or on Twitter @naomizeveloff
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.
If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO