'The capital of Israel is Tel Aviv': Trump's defence secretary nominee

[TomSea]

'The capital of Israel is Tel Aviv': Trump's defence secretary nominee
General James Mattis said he would stick to current US policy when asked about moving embassy to Jerusalem
President-elect Donald Trump made moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem a central point in his campaign. But his defence chief nominee said on Wednesday that the capital of Israel is Tel Aviv. 

"Right now, I'd stick with the US policy," James Mattis told lawmakers when asked about moving the embassy to Jerusalem. "I would defer to the nominee of secretary of state on that, sir."

Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of their state in any future negotiated settlement. But Israelis claim the entire city as theirs. 

The retired Marine Corps general also expressed views on Russia and NATO that appeared contradictory to statements that Trump has made.

Continued:  http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/pentagon-chief-hopeful-says-iran-biggest-destabilising-influence-middle-east-2137634213

[dfwgator]

Not his call.

[ABX]

Israel is the only country that can declare what its capital is, and Israel made a law in 1980 stating that Jerusalem was its capital.
https://www.knesset.gov.il/laws/special/eng/basic10_eng.htm

This administration nor the next can declare it different.

[HonestJohn]

Israel is the only country that can declare what its capital is, and Israel made a law in 1980 stating that Jerusalem was its capital.
https://www.knesset.gov.il/laws/special/eng/basic10_eng.htm

This administration nor the next can declare it different.

Israel made Jerusalem it's capitol in 1949.