In an interview with the Israel Hayom newspaper, US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman spoke about the Trump administration's stance on moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
"I know that US President Donald Trump is speaking with all relevant parties on the matter before he makes his final decision," Friedman said. "This is his decision and I will let him speak for himself, when he deems the time right."
"I told him of my opinion, but mine is one of many. The President's job is to listen to all of the opinions and to decide the best course of action."
Speaking of Trump's upcoming visit to the Western Wall, Friedman said, "The President's visit to the Western Wall, his speech, and his meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu - were all variations on the same idea."
"Trump is disconnecting from the events of the past eight years, and he will be seen as a pro-Israel leader, both in theory and in action.
"I assume that Trump's upcoming speech will be very positive, and Israelis will feel good about it."
Regarding the comment by a senior White House official that the Western Wall is not actually in Israel, Friedman said, "This incident was caused by a misunderstanding. What's more important is that if this in fact was said, whoever said it did not speak in the name of the United States, and does not represent our policies."
"The media acted unjustly, and blew things out of proportion."
Friedman also said he himself intends to visit Judea and Samaria. In his opinion, the fact that he is a religious American Jew "does not create any conflict of interest." READ MORE
