The Times of Israel reports: Washington has asked Israel to restrain its response to US President Donald Trump’s official recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, citing the sensitivity of the matter and the volatile response it will likely elicit, Reuters reported Wednesday night.
A State Department document obtained by the news agency instructs US diplomatic staff in Israel on the message that is to be delivered to Israeli leadership. “While I recognize that you will publicly welcome this news, I ask that you restrain your official response,” a talking point in the document says.
“We expect there to be resistance to this news in the Middle East and around the world. We are still judging the impact this decision will have on US facilities and personnel overseas.” The document also carries talking points for diplomats in Europe, who are encouraged to convey to EU governments that Trump’s statement did not in any way predetermine Jerusalem’s final status, a matter will still need to be determined in negotiations.
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