United States officially recognizes ‘Jerusalem’ as the capital of Israel; PM Netanyahu welcomes it as ‘historic’ move

Washington, December 7: ‘United States now recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. It's a move that upends decades of U.S. policy,’ was the announcement made by the U.S President Donald Trump which invited lots of criticism but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu termed this as ‘historic day’ for Israel. Also President Trump announced to move the U.S Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. 

PM Netanyahu said that Israel is "profoundly grateful" and that Trump's announcement is an "important step toward peace." The Israeli leader says his country "will continue to work with the president and his team to make that dream of peace come true.' Trump is pledging to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, and Netanyahu is urging other countries to follow suit. Members of Israel's cabinet have praised the move as "destined" and "overdue." And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video statement praising Trump's action.

 

Talking right from the Diplomatic Reception Room of White House, President Trump said that this decision "marks the beginning of a new approach to conflict between Israel and the Palestinians."

Post this decision; the Jerusalem Municipality illuminated the walls of Old City red, white and blue to show thanks to the President Trump for recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

President Netanyahu directed the State Department to begin preparing the move, which may take years as the government scopes out a location, hires architects and plans for what is sure to be a challenging security environment.

To this announcement, European and Arab world leaders alike, including Britain, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and the pope, said that he was recklessly challenging a delicate status quo over the city, in which the international community has insisted its future must be determined in direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians themselves.

France's president, Emmanuel Macron, also called the decision "regrettable" and said the status of Jerusalem was not for one country to decide, but a matter of international security, of consensus and of law. Egypt said it refused to recognize it and warned of grave consequences. Turkey threatened to sever ties to Israel.

Assuring the commitment, "We want an agreement that is a great deal for the Israelis and a great deal for the Palestinians," he said. "The United States would support a two state solution if agreed to by both sides."

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas rejected Trump's saying that "The US administration with this statement has chosen to go against all the international and bilateral agreements, and to ignore the international consensus. The United States is withdrawing from the role it has played in the peace process. It's an attempt to change our history, and it will not succeed," he said. "It's a Palestinian city– an Arab city, a Christian city and a Muslim city,” he added.