On Donald Trump’s second day in office, the White House announced that initial discussions are already underway regarding the moving of the U.S.’s Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which the president promised he would do on the campaign trail.
On Sunday night, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters that the administration had begun to examine the move, but it is “at the very beginning stages of even discussing this subject.”
Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat said on Monday that his office is indeed in contact with the new administration concerning the move, which would represent a major shift in the U.S.’s traditional Israel policy.
“I am holding talks with government officials in the US and I know that they are serious about their intention,” he told Army Radio.
A senior Jerusalem city official went further, claiming that the Trump administration has already sent architects to plan and design the new embassy in Israel’s capital.
“The architect who designs American embassies around the world has already arrived in Israel to examine the conditions in the field,” Turjemon said.
According to the unconfirmed report, three locations are under consideration. The most likely choice would be the Arnona neighborhood, where the U.S. consulate facility is currently located.