The Trump administration is expected to sign off on a plan to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by as early as 2019, The Associated Press reported Friday citing administration officials.
The AP reports that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson
Rex Wayne TillersonDecline in US travel spurs business push for visitors Overnight Defense: GOP chair blames Dems for defense budget holdup | FDA, Pentagon to speed approval of battlefield drugs | Mattis calls North Korea situation 'sobering' Mattis: North Korea situation 'sobering' MORE has received a plan that would involve the U.S. consular building in West Jerusalem being used as the interim U.S. embassy until a new one is constructed.
The annex in Jerusalem would act as a satellite arm of the Tel Aviv embassy, with the majority of the staff staying in Tel Aviv, according to the report.
Officials told the news organization that U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and some of his staff would have offices in the annex in Jerusalem possibly by April, however, they would still keep their offices in Tel Aviv.
Vice President Pence has reportedly been pushing for the proposal to be given the green light so he can announce it during his trip to Israel next week.
President Trump
Donald John TrumpDems flip Wisconsin state Senate seat Sessions: 'We should be like Canada' in how we take in immigrants GOP rep: 'Sheet metal and garbage' everywhere in Haiti MORE bucked the international community last month when he announced the U.S. would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The international community has traditionally viewed Tel Aviv as the country's capital.
The decision has angered Palestinians who view East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.