State Department spokesperson Says legislation to expand the Israeli capital is an “internal matter,” expresses neither opposition nor support.
The Trump administration would not oppose a law, if passed in Israel, to expand the municipal borders of Jerusalem, reports indicate.
The Greater Jerusalem Law would include the city of Ma’ale Adumim, Gush Etzion, Efrat, Beitar Illit and Givat Ze’ev – captured during the 1967 Six Day War – under the jurisdiction of the Israeli capital.
However, a vote on the issue has been continually delayed at the Knesset. The bill was initially submitted by Member of Knesset Yoav Kish with the backing of Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz – both members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party.
“My understanding is that the piece of legislation is in the early stages of development. Some of these would be internal matters that I wouldn’t want to comment on. I know that it has to go through several steps before it would even become law,” State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters on Thursday.
Nauert gave no hint of US opposition to the law, which will be brought on Sunday for the Ministerial Committee for Legislation’s approval.
By: Adina Katz, World Israel News