Donald Trump
Donald TrumpReuters

The New York Post wrote on Sunday that President Donald Trump would keep his campaign promise to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, despite last week signing a waiver delaying the move.

“President Trump has just gotten another lesson in the perils of overpromising during a campaign, disappointing supporters of Israel by declining to move the U.S. embassy there to Jerusalem,” the newspaper's editorial said.

“What made the decision problematic was that Trump had vowed repeatedly to make the move 'fairly quickly' — even assuring an Israeli reporter the night before his inauguration: 'I am not a person who breaks promises.'”

At the same time, noted the newspaper, White House press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters on Friday that Trump's “intention is to move the Embassy. The question is not if that move happens, but when.”

“That’s good to hear: No other sitting president has made the same pledge, despite what they promised as candidates,” the New York Post wrote.

“And it’s important to note that, while in Israel, Trump became the first sitting president to visit the Western Wall, one of Judaism’s holiest sites, in East Jerusalem — which the Palestinians want as their capital,” it continued.

“Trump clearly believes he can succeed where others have failed in negotiating a genuine Middle East agreement. And he means to keep a potential embassy move as leverage — against the Palestinians, which is a welcome change.”

“Given historical realities, we’re dubious, but it’s not unreasonable to let him try, especially given some slight signs of movement — and his insistence that the transfer will be made. Clearly, extending the waiver will be a live issue every six months, not a mere formality,” the editorial said.

“Trump has taken critical steps to demonstrate a renewed U.S. commitment to Israel. Moving the embassy would be the biggest step yet — and, like Netanyahu, we remain confident the president ultimately will take it,” it concluded.