Israeli Politicians Pressure Trump on Mideast Promises U.S. leader expected to travel to Saudi Arabia, Israel and Europe later this month By Jay Solomon

Posted By on May 8th, 2017

https://www.wsj.com/articles/israeli-politicians-pressure-trump-on-mideast-promises-1494188948

NEW YORK—President Donald Trump came under increased pressure from the Israeli government to follow through on foreign policy pledges he made during the election campaign, including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, just days before he embarks on his inaugural trip to the Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warmly welcomed Mr. Trump’s election, following eight years of butting heads with former U.S. President Barack Obama on issues ranging from Israel’s building in disputed territories to the nuclear deal with Iran.

But Mr. Trump’s pledge this month to resume Mideast diplomacy has unnerved members of Mr. Netanyahu’s cabinet, many of whom spoke at a conference Sunday in New York. The U.S. leader is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Israel and Europe beginning on May 19, and peace between Israel and the Palestinians is expected to be high on his agenda.

Some of Mr. Netanyahu’s top aides questioned the nature of the Mideast peace process, which for decades has sought to establish an independent Palestinian state on lands in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. They sharply criticized the leadership of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, whom Mr. Trump welcomed to the White House last week.

“Can the Palestinian Authority be a genuine partner for peace in the Middle East?” asked Yuval Steinitz, Israel’s energy minister, who sits on Mr. Netanyahu’s national security cabinet. He accused Mr. Abbas of leading a government that was corrupt, anti-Semitic and divided.

Other members of Mr. Netanyahu’s cabinet were more blunt on Sunday. “As long as I’m a minister, the Palestinian state won’t be created,” said Ofir Akunis, Israel’s minister of science and technology.

Another, more pressing issue, is the status of the American embassy in Israel.

Mr. Trump repeatedly pledged during the campaign to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv once he took office. Both Israel and the Palestinians claim Jerusalem as the capital of their states, making its status among the most contentious issues in the peace process. CONTINUE AT SITE

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