Canada keeping Israel embassy in Tel Aviv, despite U.S. move to Jerusalem

The Liberals’ parliamentary point man for U.S.-Canada relations said a decision by the Trump administration to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is a unilateral move.

READ MORE: Trump recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, will relocate U.S. embassy

Andrew Leslie, parliamentary secretary to the foreign affairs minister, said he won’t comment further on the implication of Trump’s decision to eventually move the U.S. embassy to the contested city, upending decades of American policy.

Leslie said Canada remains focused on helping create the conditions for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

WATCH: Global backlash after Trump says he recognizes Jerusalem as Israel capital 

0:51 Palestinians set U.S., Israeli flags ablaze ahead of Trump’s expected Jerusalem declaration

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• Trump’s decision on Jerusalem could have a destabilizing effect in the region
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• EU warns Trump against recognizing Jerusalem as Israeli capital

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Trump’s move is expected to threaten prospects for that peace, as there have been conflicting claims for decades about the status of Jerusalem.

A spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland says the question of the historic city can be resolved only as part of a general settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli dispute.

The Canadian embassy will remain in Tel Aviv.