Story highlights Trump had promised to move the embassy during the campaign

He has decided against it for now

Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump has signed the waiver keeping the US embassy in Tel Aviv avoiding -- for now -- a controversial move to Jerusalem.

The move, which the White House said was made in an effort to spur peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian officials, was expected but breaks with a promise Trump made during the 2016 campaign.

"President Trump made this decision to maximize the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians, fulfilling his solemn obligation to defend America's national security interests," the White House statement said. "But, as he has repeatedly stated his intention to move the embassy, the question is not if that move happens, but only when."

One senior administration official told CNN: "As you have seen the President say, in the region and here in Washington, he thinks this is a hopeful moment for peace and he has committed his administration to try to facilitate progress towards peace and for that reason, he signed the waiver."

Trump promised throughout the 2016 campaign that he would move the US embassy from to Jerusalem, an action the Israeli government has long advocated.

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