UN Ambassador Nikki Haley is stepping outside of the White House position on the Western Wall, telling the Christian Broadcasting Network the holy site is in Israel. Further, she reiterated the need to move the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“I don’t know what the policy of the administration is, but I believe the Western Wall is part of Israel and I think that that is how we’ve always seen it and that’s how we should pursue it," Haley said. "We’ve always thought the Western Wall was part of Israel.”
“Obviously I believe that the capital should be Jerusalem and the embassy should be moved to Jerusalem because if you look at all their government is in Jerusalem. So much of what goes on is in Jerusalem and I think we have to see that for what it is,” she continued.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN @nikkihaley says it’s her belief that the U.S. Embassy should be moved to Jerusalem. https://t.co/hbuaZG9Dxw pic.twitter.com/hK4sxQnwUF
— CBN News (@CBNNews) May 17, 2017
On Tuesday, National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster and White House Press Secretary repeatedly refused to state the Western Wall is in Israel.
McMaster was asked twice about the Western Wall's location by reporters, completely dodging the issue. When hit with a follow up, he said it was a policy issue he should not comment on.
"That sounds like a policy question," McMaster said. "He's [President Trump] going to the Western Wall mainly in connection with the theme to connect with three of the world's great religions and to pay homage to each of these religious sites that he's visiting."
Spicer said the Western Wall is in fact in Jerusalem, but would not say it is in Israel.
"The Western Wall is one of holiest sites in the Jewish faith, and clearly in Jerusalem," Spicer said, adding that the situation is complicated.
On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly promised to move the U.S. embassy. Since taking office, the White House has all but dropped the plan ahead of the President's first trip to Israel next week.