GOP senator urges Biden to validate US will keep embassy in Jerusalem

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) on Saturday wrote to President Biden urging him to publicly confirm that he will maintain the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem immediately after the Senate overwhelmingly signaled assistance for the place past week.

“This is not a tricky dilemma and ought to not demand any deliberation,” Hagerty wrote in the letter, which was obtained first by The Hill.

The Senate, in an overnight voting session on Friday, handed a non-binding amendment launched by Hagerty and Sen. Jim InhofeJames (Jim) Mountain InhofeFive takeaways from the price range marathon Senate GOP indicators it is likely to acquit Trump for second time Right away Protection: Austin requires helm at Pentagon | COVID-19 briefing component of Working day 1 agenda | Outrage over pictures of National Guard troops in parking garage Extra (R-Okla.) by a vote of 97-3 in guidance of sustaining the embassy in Jerusalem. The embassy was relocated there throughout the Trump administration from Tel Aviv following past presidents experienced punted on the shift.

Asked Friday afternoon about no matter whether the Biden administration supports preserving the embassy there, press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Senate Dems haggle over .9 trillion COVID relief details CDC says universities are protected, but Biden proceeds to dismiss science, medical professionals Enjoy reside: White Household retains press briefing Extra stated she had not spoken with the national security crew but would observe up on the issue.

“In get to suitable the discrepancy that unfortunately now exists between our two branches of govt and ship an unequivocal concept to our allies in Israel, I urge you to confirm—immediately and publicly—that your Administration will proceed to apply U.S. regulation and sustain the American Embassy’s location in Jerusalem,” Hagerty wrote.

The first-time period senator, who earlier served as ambassador to Japan, also urged Biden to make on the Abraham Accords, a collection of agreements the Trump administration brokered to normalize relations amongst a handful of Middle Eastern international locations.

A White Property formal said the U.S. posture is that its embassy will remain in Jerusalem, which the administration acknowledges as Israel’s money. The supreme position of Jerusalem will require to be settled as a result of direct negotiations, the official extra. 

When Psaki did not offer a immediate remedy on Friday and Biden has not resolved the matter of the embassy, Secretary of Point out Antony BlinkenAntony BlinkenBlinken holds initially connect with with Chinese counterpart US options to revoke terrorist designation for Houthi rebels Blinken picks up the cellphone to agency up alliances — besides with most Gulf nations Additional formerly signaled his aid for maintaining it in Jerusalem all through his affirmation listening to. 

“Do you concur that Jerusalem is the cash of Israel and do you commit that the United States will maintain our embassy in Jerusalem?” Senator Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzDaines seeks to block Haaland confirmation to Interior Hillicon Valley: Democratic senators unveil bill to reform Portion 230 | Labor board denies Amazon request to delay local union vote | Robinhood lifts limits on GameStop, other shares Poll: Biden notches better acceptance score in Texas than Gov. Abbott Far more (R-Texas) requested through the hearing final month.

“Sure and certainly,” Blinken responded.

Trump in Could 2018 moved the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, satisfying a marketing campaign guarantee and pursuing through on a U.S. policy determination that was routinely delayed considering that 1995 to relocate the embassy from the beachfront city to the Holy Town.

Holding again on transferring the embassy was seen as critical leverage by the U.S. to drive for Israelis and Palestinians to engage on negotiations to set up a Palestinian state, with their personal cash in east Jerusalem.

Up-to-date at 9:06 p.m.