U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman said the Trump administration will move the American embassy in the country to Jerusalem, saying it is not a matter of "if, but when," according to remarks offered in a new interview.
President Donald Trump promised early on in his campaign for office that he would finally move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which Israel considers its capital.
The issue has been shrouded in controversy since it is longstanding U.S. policy not to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital so as not to prejudge the outcome of peace negotiations with the Palestinians.
Trump has promised to move the embassy as one of his first declarations in office, but that was derailed following opposition by the State Department and a renewed push to get the Israelis and Palestinians back to the negotiating table.
While Trump administration officials have said the embassy move is still being reviewed, Friedman told Erick Stakelbeck, director of Christians United for Israel's Watchman Project, in an exclusive interview that the U.S. embassy is certain to be relocated during Trump's tenure in office.
"The embassy will move. It's not if, but when," Friedman told Stakelbeck in an interview set to be broadcast on the TBN network. "I am convinced that during his term, the United States will recognize Jerusalem as the undivided and eternal capital of Israel."