Exclusive: U.S. asks Israel to restrain response to Jerusalem move - document

By Arshad Mohammed WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is asking Israel to temper its response to the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as its capital because Washington expects a backlash and is weighing the potential threat to U.S. facilities and people, according to a State Department document seen by Reuters on Wednesday. "While I recognize that you will publicly welcome this news, I ask that you restrain your official response," the document dated Dec. 6 said in talking points for diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv to convey to Israeli officials. A second State Department document seen by Reuters, which was also dated Dec. 6, said the agency had formed an internal task force "to track worldwide developments" following the U.S. decision on Jerusalem.