What Would Trump Do In Israel — And Who Might Come With Him?
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By Naomi Zeveloff April 27, 2017
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
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