<p>President Donald Trump is wasting no time in his effort to strengthen US-Israel relations. As announced on Sunday, he has extended an invitation to meet with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington early next month.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The president and the prime minister agreed to continue to closely consult on a range of regional issues, including addressing the threats posed by Iran,&rdquo; said the White House.</p>
<p>The statement did not mention the US embassy in Israel, but an Israeli news outlet reported that the facility would soon be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem &ndash; an action that will likely incite anger in the Arab world. ;</p>
<p>Israel considers Jerusalem its capital, but the Palestinians claim the city will be part of their future state. Congress passed a law in 1995 stating that the US recognized Israel&rsquo;s claim to the city, but successive presidents have maintained the embassy in Tel Aviv. ;</p>
<p>Donald Trump has said repeatedly that he plans to move the embassy &ldquo;despite warnings the move would violate international law and destroy the peace process,&rdquo; reports the <em>Independent.</em></p>
<p>The UN does not recognize Jerusalem as Israel&rsquo;s capital, and we can expect protests from our allies in the Middle East if we move the embassy there. Trump has also promised to ;help negotiate peace between Israel and the Palestinians, something that will be far more difficult if the embassy is relocated. ;</p>
<p>Expecting Trump to support their effort to build settlements on Palestinian land, Israel has recently approved hundreds of building permits in East Jerusalem.</p>
<p>&#8220;Let&rsquo;s greet him [Trump] together as our friend,&#8221; said Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. &ldquo;And thank him for his intention to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, thereby conveying a clear message to the world: Jerusalem is Israel&rsquo;s united capital.&rdquo;</p>