Trump signals step back from Israeli embassy plan

President Donald Trump further distanced himself from his campaign promise to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

During an interview on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, Trump told former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee that he wants to first try to make peace between Israel and Palestine.

"I want to give that a shot before I even think about moving the embassy to Jerusalem," Trump said on the Christian network interview. "If we can make peace between the Palestinians and Israel, I think it'll lead to ultimately peace in the Middle East, which has to happen."

In June, Trump signed a waiver on the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, which mandates that the embassy be moved to Jerusalem by 1999. Past presidents have also waived the act out of concern that it would derail peace talks.

A White House statement on the waiver said Trump still intends to follow through on his promise. It was not a matter of "if that move happens, but only when," the statement said.

David Friedman, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, echoed the White House's long-term strategy during an interview on TBN a few days before Trump's sit-down with Huckabee.

"The embassy will move. It's not if, but when," Friedman said. "And I am convinced that during his term, the United States will recognize Jerusalem as the undivided and eternal capital of the state of Israel."  

When Huckabee asked Trump, in light of Friedman's comments, for a timeframe on the move, Trump said the decision would happen in the "not too distant future."

Trump has not backed off of his promise, but his recent remarks on the subject show he is facing substantial roadblocks and cannot say when the embassy will move. We'll continue to rate this Stalled.