Jerusalem Divides Trump’s Team and Complicates Kushner’s Peace Plan
- President expected to recognize city as Israel’s capital
- Tillerson and Mattis recommended against the announcement
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President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital divided his top advisers and at best complicates an effort to restart peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians that’s been directed by his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
The urgency for Trump’s announcement on Wednesday was driven partly by Vice President Mike Pence’s planned travel to the Mideast later this month. Pence was a strong advocate within the administration for the policy shift and Trump wanted a clear resolution of the issue before his vice president’s trip, which will include a speech to the Israeli Knesset and meetings with regional leaders.