US officials have been saying for months that they intend to move the embassy to Jerusalem before the end of this calendar year – a midterm election year in the US.The State Department continues to scope out sites and architects for the construction of a larger, permanent embassy in Jerusalem. US President Donald Trump touted his decision to move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv in a speech to a conservative action group in Washington on Friday."I said, 'I have to do it, because its the right thing to do,'" Trump said, of his conversations with world leaders leading up to the decision. "The campaign against it was so incredible. But you know what, the campaign for it was also incredible."Heather Nauert, a spokesman for the State Department, elaborated on the administration's plans in a statement on Friday afternoon and noted that US diplomats are "excited about taking this historic step, and look forward with anticipation to the May opening." "Those consular operations, including American citizen and visa services, will continue at the Arnona facility without interruption, as part of the Embassy," Nauert said. "Consulate General Jerusalem will continue to operate as an independent mission with an unchanged mandate, from its historic Agron Road location. Initially, the interim Embassy in Arnona will contain office space for the Ambassador and a small staff."By the end of next year, we intend to open a new Embassy Jerusalem annex on the Arnona compound that will provide the Ambassador and his team with expanded interim office space," she continued. "In parallel, we have started the search for a site for our permanent Embassy to Israel, the planning and construction of which will be a longer-term undertaking."I would like to congratulate Donald Trump, the President of the US @POTUS on his decision to transfer the US Embassy to our capital on Israel's 70th Independence Day. There is no greater gift than that! The most just and correct move. Thanks friend!
— ישראל כץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) February 23, 2018