For Trump, an Embassy in Jerusalem Is a Political Decision, Not a Diplomatic One - The New York Times

posted onDecember 7, 2017
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WASHINGTON — Ten days before Donald J. Trump took office, Sheldon G. Adelson went to Trump Tower for a private meeting. Afterward, Mr. Adelson, the casino billionaire and Republican donor, called an old friend, Morton A. Klein, to report that Mr. Trump told him that moving the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would be a major priority. “He was very excited, as was I,” said Mr. Klein, the president of the Zionist Organization of America, a hard-line pro-Israel group. “This is something that’s in his heart and soul.” The two men had to wait nearly a year, but on Wednesday, Mr.
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U.N., European Union and Pope Criticize Trump’s Jerusalem Announcement - The New York Times

posted onDecember 7, 2017
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ROME — Pope Francis said, “I cannot remain silent.” The United Nations secretary general spoke of his “great anxiety.” The European Union expressed “serious concern.” American allies like Britain, France, Germany and Italy all declared it a mistake. A chorus of international leaders criticized the Trump administration’s decision on Wednesday to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, calling it a dangero
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Trump Calls Jerusalem Plan Step Toward Peace, but It Puts Mideast on Edge - The New York Times

posted onDecember 7, 2017
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JERUSALEM — Palestinians burned photos of President Trump in Gaza, and the walls of the Old City were illuminated with the American and Israeli flags on Wednesday, as Mr. Trump made good on his campaign pledge to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. In a much-anticipated speech from the White House, Mr. Trump argued that it was “the right thing to do” to acknowledge the reality that Jerusalem is the seat of Israel’s government.
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Conyers' exit after decades could open political floodgates - ABC News

posted onDecember 7, 2017
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John Conyers' resignation from the U.S. House amid sexual harassment allegations unlocks the seat he has held for more than a half-century — and sets off a free-for-all race to replace him with at least three potential legacy candidates, including two relatives of Conyers and a son of a prominent former mayor. Conyers, had faced growing calls to resign from Democratic leaders and colleagues as he has been accused by one woman after another, vehemently denies he groped or harassed women who worked for him.
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Patagonia, coalition of conservationists sue Trump to protect Utah monuments - ABC News

posted onDecember 7, 2017
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Major outdoor retailers have come out in opposition to shrink two national monuments in Utah. Outdoor gear company Patagonia made its website go black after Trump's announcement Monday, with only large text reading: "The President Stole Your Land." Patagonia's founder, Yvon Choinard, and a "broad coalition" of groups opposed to the announcement moved forward Wednesday by filing a lawsuit against the administration to protect Bears Ears National Monument's status. "I think the only thing this administration understands i
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ANALYSIS: In Jerusalem gamble, Trump may go bust - ABC News

posted onDecember 7, 2017
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President Israel in the simplest of terms: “Old challenges demand new approaches.” That’s a succinct summation of Trumpian governing philosophy – the ethos of a confident dealmaker who’s willing to gamble to mix things up. What’s been done before hasn’t worked, so the president is choosing to do something new – something a bipartisan majority in Congress explicitly endorsed more than 20 years ago. But such logic begins to collapse in the morass that is the Middle East.
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Trump recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital in historic move - ABC News

posted onDecember 7, 2017
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In a momentous shift in United States policy in the Middle East, President Israel on Wednesday and initiated the process of relocating the U.S. Embassy to the city from Tel Aviv. "My announcement today marks the beginning of a new approach to conflict between Israel and the Palestinians," Trump said from the White House, where he was joined by Vice President Mike Pence.
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Trump Jr. spent nearly 8 hours with House Committee, bickered over comparison to Clinton's Benghazi testimony - ABC News

posted onDecember 7, 2017
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Donald Trump Jr.'s interview Wednesday with the House Intelligence Committee focused mainly on three areas, sources with knowledge of the interview told ABC News: The June 2016 meeting between Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, Paul Manafort and a Russian attorney; Trump Jr.'s conversations with Wikileaks; and past business by the Trump Organization. At one point, hours into the meeting, multiple sources with knowledge tell ABC News that Trump Jr.’s lawyers asked how many more questions the committee had.
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