In denying the move, Trump lost an opportunity to determine the true intentions of the Palestinians toward Israel. Are Palestinians willing to share Jerusalem with the Jews, as they have privately assured Trump and previous U.S. presidents? Or do they want Jerusalem entirely in Palestinian hands, and Israel wiped off the map? Trump sees the embassy decision, and Jerusalem’s status, as major bargaining chips in negotiating a final settlement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. To win re-election and remain in power, Trump will again need the evangelical vote, for whom the embassy move is paramount.

Source: National Post June 05, 2017 17:48 UTC