Jerusalem to be Recognized as Israel's Capital; Theresa May to Iron Out Brexit Issues
CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. Well, the world is waiting for U.S. President Donald Trump's Jerusalem announcement. Sources say he might formally recognize the city as Israel's capital this week. Palestinian officials have warned against the move and say it could plunge the region into more violence. CNN's Ian Lee is in Jerusalem and joins me now with the very latest. So, Ian, past U.S. president have backed the way from recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and decided against moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. If Mr. Trump overturns that policy, what are the likely consequences here?</s>IAN LEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Rosemary, past U.S. presidents didn't move the embassy or recognize Jerusalem as the capital because they understood the ramifications in the absence of a peace deal. We've heard from PLO Secretary General Saeb Erekat who said, if the United States does do this it would disqualify them from any role in the peace talks. We also heard from the Jordanian foreign minister who have warned dangerous consequences also saying that this could trigger anger across the Arab and Muslim world, as well as fuel tensions and jeopardize the peace process. Israeli officials have been quiet on this. But in the past, they've enthusiastically advocated for this move. On the streets of Jerusalem, though, we found a stark divide.</s>LEE: At one level it's a city like any other. People sell. People buy. Normal life. But Jerusalem's old city is special, and this is the best vantage point, here on the Mount of Olives. The Dome of the Rock in all its magnificence, a key holy site for Muslims. Behind it, if you know where to look, the church of the Holy Sepulcher. Built on the site where many Christians believe Christ was crucified. And out of sight from this vantage point, the Western Wall. Holy to Jews, supporting the mount where the temple once stood. It's not Jerusalem's significance that's in dispute. It's its status. After nearly 20 years divided by barbed wire, Israeli forces took control of the whole city east and west in 1967. The international community did not recognize what Israel called the unification of Jerusalem. Embassies stayed in Tel Aviv. And east Jerusalem was accepted by the international community as the capital of a future Palestinian state in a negotiated settlement between Israelis and Palestinians. This area is called Abu Tor. And it's a bit of a rarity in Jerusalem. That's because it's a mixed neighborhood. People who live on this part of the street identify as Palestinians.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Inside I am Palestinian. And I'm a Muslim. And I'm proud about that. "I don't think it's a successful step to move the embassy," Hamid tells me. "And it's not the time to do it. But the Israelis and the Americans have other agendas that we can't change." A bit further down the road, and let's talk to some folks here.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm an Israeli woman. I live in Jerusalem. I love Jerusalem.</s>LEE: Palestinians say they want east Jerusalem to be part of their capital. What do you think about that?</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't like to talk this. I think Jerusalem is Israeli for Jewish.</s>LEE: What are your thoughts on the United States moving the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem?</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Great, great. First of all, it's not going to be a Palestinian country. And it always was Israel.</s>LEE: Some Israelis who didn't want to be on camera told us they don't support moving the embassy. Whatever President Trump announces, the position of the vast majority of the international community remains clear. East Jerusalem is considered occupied territory. All settlements are illegal. Their view likely won't change quickly, even if the U.S. embassy changes addresses.</s>LEE: Rosemary, Jared Kushner told the Saban Forum yesterday that President Trump hasn't made up his mind yet. We do know, though, that U.S. diplomatic missions are bracing. They've increased security ahead of any potential announcement. Rosemary?</s>CHURCH: Certainly a lot at stake here. We will await to hear the president's decision on this. Ian Lee joining us from Jerusalem. Many thanks. Well, Monday is looking like a make or break day for British Prime Minister Theresa May to fulfill her Brexit wish list. She is set to meet with E.U. leaders to hammer out the remaining issues in the so- called divorce. The E.U. has warned that this is the last day for Britain to negotiate before they will enter trade talks. And for more on what's on the table, let's get straight to CNN correspondent Erin McLaughlin in Brussels and CNN producer Bianca Nobilo at 10 Downing Street. Great to see you both. Erin, let's start with you. And Prime Minister Theresa May is set to hold these critical Brexit talks with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in just a few hours from now. What are the expectations? What's at stake?</s>ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Rosemary. Well, the expectations, the original hope was that Theresa May would arrive here in Brussels with a comprehensive offer in hand that would cover the three main areas that matter most to the E.U., the financial settlement, the rights of E.U. and U.K. citizens and the Northern Ireland issue. And the hope was that that offer would be sufficient to pass to the next phase of negotiations, the future relationships, the transitional agreement, something the U.K. has very much wanted to do. But that does not seem the case at this point. Sticking points remain chief among those sticking points, the Northern Ireland issue. The Irish government wants assurances in writing from the United Kingdom that there will be no hard border as a result of the Brexit process as a result of the U.K. leaving the E.U. And that really at this point is no small feat. I was speaking a short while ago to a spokesperson for the Irish government who said that there is still some way to go on this issue. He also told me that he is hopeful of a deal. But it's difficult to make a prediction at this point. So it will be very interesting to see what comes out of the meeting between Prime Minister Theresa May, the president of the European Council Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker later today, Rosemary.</s>CHURCH: It certainly will. Thank you so much for that, Erin McLaughlin. Bianca Nobilo, let's go to you now at 10 Downing Street. While the prime minister is in Brussels, what's on the agenda at the House of Commons for the next stage of Brexit. And why is it so hard to come up with a decision on Northern Ireland?</s>BIANCA NOBILO, CNN PRODUCER: There is still plenty of Brexit movement here in the U.K. today. In fact, the Brexit bill is having its fourth day of scrutiny in the House of Commons. And on the agenda for today is discussing how leaving the E.U. is going to affect the other parts of the U.K. besides England. So, Wales and Scotland. And ministers there are really concerned that powers which once resided with Brussels are going to go back to Westminster instead of going to their devolved administrations. That's a really big problem for ministers in Wales and Scotland because it's chief -- chiefly important for them that they have control over several of their affairs which the E.U. currently controls. And they don't want that power going back to Westminster. So there is pressure from the devolved administrations on the U.K. government today. And then you mentioned Northern Ireland and Ireland, Rosemary. And of course, that is a huge issue. Theresa May's government is propped up by the democratic Unionist Party, the DUP. That is the largest party in Northern Ireland. They're pro-Brexit. But they're also putting pressure on the Prime Minister to ensure that there is no hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland following Brexit from the E.U. So there is a lot of pressure on the Prime Minister today. But E.U. officials are sounding encouraging the progress will be made.</s>CHURCH: And we will of course be watching to see the outcome of that. Bianca Nobilo and Erin McLaughlin, many thanks to both of you for your live reports. I appreciate it. And with four indictments and two guilty pleas, the Russia investigation is getting closer and closer to Donald Trump. So who is the next person in the crosshairs? We will take a closer look when we come back. Stay with us.