Israel said today it would not allow bureaucratic red tape to delay the controversial transfer of the US embassy to the disputed city of Jerusalem scheduled for May.
Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said in a statement that the construction of a security wall and an emergency exit route both need planning permission.
He said, the move was of strategic importance to Israel and that his staff would do everything that is needed to respect the timetable.
Breaking with decades of US policy, President Donald Trump in December officially recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and pledged to move the embassy from Tel Aviv.
The move has prompted protests and 128 states condemned it in a UN General Assembly vote in December. Only seven smaller countries aligned themselves with Washington. Both Israel and the Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital.
