Tensions rose on ABC’s “The View” Tuesday as several of the hosts slammed the Trump administration for following through on his promise to move the United States Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Cohosts Sunny Hostin and Joy Behar went so far as saying that the move meant that Trump wasn’t really working for peace in the Middle East.
Whoopi Goldberg began the conversation by suggesting that, at the very least, the optics weren’t great.
“We used to be known as the peacemakers, but now it feels like we might be part of the problem.”
Meghan McCain defended the move, saying that in spite of her own personal issues with President Trump and the administration, she was willing to call this one in his favor.
This is a campaign promise that has been happening for a really long time, President Bush, President Obama even alluded to it in 2008, saying, ‘I continue to say that Jerusalem will be the capitol of Israel.’ It is worth noting that Hamas was declared a terrorist organization by the European Court of Justice. I think Israel is our greatest ally in the Middle East, I think our relationship with them is vitally important … this one means a lot to me, honestly.
Joy Behar jumped in, responding to the idea that the move was a campaign promise. “He seems to be representing a portion … a smaller portion of the population than the majority.”
McCain then noted that several Democrats, including Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) had applauded the move, but Behar was unmoved. “I don’t care about Schumer.”
Hostin then suggested that the move was a move against peace rather than for it.
“If you want peace, if you want true peace in the Middle East, which is what Jared Kushner was supposed to be working toward, you cannot have peace and a peace process without Palestinian involvement. You cannot have it. And so if you choose a side, and you say ‘this is what I’m going to do,’ you’re effectively saying you are not going to work for peace.”
Bear agreed, saying with a shrug,”Maybe they don’t want it.”