Joe Biden says he’d leave US embassy in Jerusalem if elected

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Wednesday that U.S. embassy in Israel would remain in Jerusalem if he’s elected, even as he called President Donald Trump’s decision to move diplomatic base from Tel Aviv “short-sighted and frivolous.”

Biden, speaking during a virtual fundraiser, suggested relocating embassy again would t help stagnant peace process between Israeli government and Palestinian Authority that have fought for generations over how to divide land and power, especially Jerusalem. Trump’s decision effectively ratified Israeli government’s claim on disputed capital that is a holy city for Jews, Muslims and Christians.

Yet rar than reversing Trump, Biden told dors he’d reopen a U.S. consulate in East Jerusalem to eng Palestinian leaders in talks about a “two-state solution” that has long been official U.S. posture toward Israel and Palestinians.

“I’ve been a proud supporter of a secure, democratic Jewish state of Israel my entire life,” Biden said Tuesday. But, he added: “My administration will urge both sides to take steps to keep prospect of a two-state solution alive.”

Biden’s aides have explained his position before. But his remarks Wednesday were perhaps most detailed explanation he has given himself since launching his campaign.

Congress authorized embassy move to Jerusalem in 1995 – with Biden voting for measure as a Delaware senator – but a succession of presidents from both major parties delayed shift, setting conditions as part of ongoing peace negotiations.

Biden said Trump gave away that lever.

“Moving embassy when we did without conditions having been met was short-sighted and frivolous,” former vice president said. “It should have happened in context of a larger deal to help us achieve important concessions for peace in process.”

Trump ostensibly backs a two-state solution. But his 2018 decision to move embassy from Tel Aviv reflected his alignment with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an unapologetic hardliner in advancing Jewish claims to Jerusalem and surrounding regions.