Trump ‘Considering’ Moving Embassy To Jerusalem? You Can’t Be Serious.
Image by Getty Images
By Nathan Guttman March 27, 2017
Vice President Mike Pence’s promise that President Trump is “giving serious consideration” to the idea of relocating the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem won applauds from the AIPAC audience Sunday night.
But the wording didn’t fool veteran Middle East watchers — they say the embassy ain’t going anywhere fast.
One of them, Martin Indyk, a former ambassador to Israel and peace envoy, responded in a sarcastic tweet:
“Trump will still be seriously considering it 4 yrs from now. G. W. Bush seriously considered it for 8 yrs. We’re freiers to think otherwise.”
The term “freiers” is Hebrew slang for suckers.
During the campaign, Trump promised he would move the embassy to Israel immediately upon taking office. His tone changed after hearing from Arab leaders and foreign policy officials that the move could ignite violence, leading the administration to now use more ambiguous language when referring to the possible move.
Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected]
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
