President Trump spoke to Arab leaders on Tuesday and told them he's about to break with longstanding US policy and recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, reports Reuters. The controversial news comes not from the White House but from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordan’s King Abdullah, who say they tried unsuccessfully to talk Trump out the decision. They warned that the policy shift, which would mean moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, will not only jeopardize peace talks but unleash violence in the region. Details and developments:
- The timing: Trump was expected to announce the decision Wednesday, reports the New York Times. However, he was also expected to sign a waiver delaying the embassy move for six months, given the logistics involved. Moving the embassy would fulfill a campaign promise. Abbas, meanwhile, is reaching out to world leaders including Vladimir Putin and Pope Francis, hoping they can change Trump's mind, per the Jerusalem Post.