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| Angry Palestinians burning US flag in Gaza Strip. |
President Trump announced he's recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital city, and starting the process of moving the U.S. embassy there from Tel Aviv. 'Today we finally acknowledge the obvious, that Jerusalem is Israel's capital. This is nothing more or less than a recognition of reality,' he said.
Palestinians said it would be 'a kiss of death to the two-state solution' and Trump is 'declaring war in the Middle East'. The terror group Hamas said Trump has opened 'the gates of hell'. Pope Francis said he was 'profoundly concerned' and appealed that 'everyone respects the status quo of the city'.
China, which has good ties with Israel and the Palestinians, expressed concerns over 'possible aggravation of regional tensions'. Iran's supreme leader said Trump's new stance represented 'incompetence and failure'; Russia expressed concern about a 'possible deterioration' there.
Moving the embassy to Jerusalem will unfold over 'years,' a senior White House official said; 'It won't be immediate, it won't be months, it won't be quick'. White House offered no expansion on Trump's argument that peace process is unaffected and how it ties in to Jared Kushner's peace plan
President Donald Trump set off protests throughout the Middle East on Wednesday as he announced that America formally recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital city. He changed decades of U.S. policy in a brief afternoon speech and cast the move as a bid to preserve, not derail, aspirations for regional peace.
Appearing in the White House's Diplomatic Reception Room against an elaborate backdrop of Christmas decorations, he also said the United States embassy in Israel would, over time, be moved there from Tel Aviv.
Israel is the only country where the United States has an embassy in a city that the host nation does not consider its capital. (Blogger’s notes: As a political protest US dose not move her Embassy to new capital “Nay Pyi Daw” in Burma.)
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| Trump declaring Jerusalem as Israel's capital. |
World leaders including the Pope spoke out against the measure, saying that it jeopardized the peace process. But Trump was unrepentant that he was doing the 'right thing'. 'I have determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,' Trump said. 'While previous presidents have made this a major campaign promise, they failed to deliver. Today I am delivering.'
'When I came into office I promised to look at the world's challenges with open eyes and very fresh thinking,' he said, leaning heavily on a mid-1990s federal law that demanded the embassy's relocation.
'We have declined to acknowledge any Israeli capital – at all,' Trump added. 'But today we finally acknowledge the obvious, that Jerusalem is Israel's capital. This is nothing more or less than a recognition of reality.' 'It is also the right thing to do. It is something that has to be done.'
Condemnations From Muslims, Their Leftie & Liberal Allies
'I'm intending to speak to President Trump about this matter. Our position has not changed, it has been a long standing one and it is also a very clear one. It is that the status of Jerusalem should be determined in a negotiated settlement.' British Prime Minister Theresa May.
'These deplorable and unacceptable measures deliberately undermine all peace efforts.' Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas. 'This decision will open the gates of hell on US interests in the region.' Hamas official Ismail Radwan. The move will have 'dangerous repercussions on the stability and security of the region and efforts to attain peace'. King Abdullah of Jordan. 'This decision is a regrettable decision that France does not approve of and goes against international law and all the resolutions of the U.N. Security Council.' French President Emmanuel Macron.
'I have consistently spoken out against any unilateral measures that would jeopardize the prospect of peace for Israelis and Palestinians.' U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. 'We call upon the U.S. Administration to reconsider this faulty decision which may result in highly negative outcomes and to avoid uncalculated steps that will harm the multicultural identity and historical status of Jerusalem.' Turkey's Foreign Ministry. 'Death sentence for all who seek peace.' Qatar's foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.
'I pray to the Lord that its identity is preserved and strengthened for the benefit of the Holy Land, the Middle East and the whole world and that wisdom and prudence prevail to prevent new elements of tension from being added to a global context already convulsed by so many cruel conflicts.' Pope Francis.
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| Pro-Muslim Pope is unhappy. |
Every president since Bill Clinton has exercised a waiver in the Jerusalem Embassy Act, effectively kicking the can down the road. Trump said that has brought the world 'no closer to a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.'
A major theme in Trump's unprecedented statement was his claim that it shouldn't interfere with longer-term peace negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. What the speech did not spell out was how that could be the case - and there was no briefing from the White House afterwards to expand on Trump's case.
His son-in-law Jared Kushner is currently drawing up a Middle East peace plan, but when it will appear and how Wednesday's dramatic announcement will play a part in it is unknown. Notably Kushner, 36, a former property developer, was not present for Trump's speech and proclamation signing.
But the Palestine Liberation Organization said after his speech that it had destroyed hopes for a two-state solution. The terror group Hamas said Trump had opened 'the gates of hell.' Sami Abu Zuhri, the leader of Hamas, said that Trump's decision 'will not succeed in changing the reality of Jerusalem being Islamic Arab land.' 'This decision is foolish and time will tell that the biggest losers are Trump and Netanyahu.'
But Trump insisted that 'this decision is not intended in any way to reflect a departure from our strong commitment to facilitate a lasting peace agreement. 'We want an agreement that is a great deal for the Israelis and a great deal for the Palestinians.'
'We are not taking a position of any final status issues, including the specific boundaries of the Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem or the resolution of contested borders,' he continued. 'Those questions are up to the parties involved. The United States remains deeply committed to helping facilitate a peace agreement that is acceptable to both sides. I intend to do everything in my power to help forge such an agreement.'
Trump said the United States will continue to support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian standoff, if agreed to by both sides. 'In the meantime, I call on all parties to maintain the status quo at Jerusalem's holy sites,' he said.
But Israel’s Prime Minister Is Happy
'This is a historic day. Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel for nearly 70 years. Jerusalem has been the focus of our hopes, our dreams, our prayers for three millennia. Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people for 3,000 years.' Benjamin Netanyahu.
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| Israeli soldiers captured East Jerusalem from Jordan in 1967 War. |
Trump insisted that ordering a move of the embassy's location would 'immediately begin the process of hiring architects, engineers and planners so that a new embassy, when completed, will be a magnificent tribute to peace.'
America's friends and foes unleashed fierce criticism before Trump made official what the White House previewed for reporters Tuesday night. But Trump stuck to his guns, calling his decision an act of political courage.
The president previewed his 'big announcement' during a cabinet meeting, which he said concerns 'Israel and the Palestinians in the Middle East. And I think it's long overdue. Many presidents have said they want to do something, and they didn't do it. Whether it's through courage or they change their mind I can't tell you. But a lot of people have said we have to do something, and they didn't do it.'
Christian Right: It’s What the Gospel Says
President Trump's controversial decision to announce the move of the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem has drawn criticism from Islamic groups, U.S. Jewish groups, and even the Pope as a potential obstacle to peace. Pope Francis advised against 'adding new elements of tension in a world already shaken and scarred by many cruel conflicts,' cautioning against the move in unusually stark terms.
But the move is a priority for a group of Christian evangelicals who are strongly pro-Israel and are an important part of Trump's electoral coalition. They see Mike Pence, the vice-president, as a leader and instrumental in Wednesday's announcement.
Among those cheering the president's announcement was Rev. Robert Jeffress, the pastor at a Texas megachurch who preached during Trump's inauguration. Jeffress tweeted on Wednesday: 'President @realDonaldTrump has demonstrated true leadership today by recognizing Jerusalem as the legitimate capital of Israel.'
In his statement, he mentioned his belief that Jerusalem will be the place where Jesus Christ will return for the 'second coming' and 'judgement day.'
'Jerusalem is and should be recognized as the capital of Israel. It is David's capital, the site of the First and Second Temples, the focus of the historians' accounts, the Psalmists' songs and the prophets' visions,' wrote Jeffress. 'It is the place where Jesus, a Jew himself, was crucified, and where he was resurrected. It is the place where he will set foot again on earth at his second coming.'
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| Trump signed, Pence smiled. |
Hagee issued a video statement Wednesday lavishing praise on Trump for the move. 'President Trump told me when last we spoke regarding the embassy that he would not disappoint us, speaking of the evangelical community, and today he has kept that promise,' Hagee said, speaking in front of American and Israeli flags. 'President Trump has made a bold and courageous stand that will be remembered in history forever.' He gushed: 'President Trump has stepped into political immortality.'
Trump, in his statement announcing his decision, cast it as a matter of political courage and acknowledging reality. Israel makes Jerusalem its capital, though other nations keep their embassies in Tel Aviv.
'This is nothing more, or less, than a recognition of reality. It is also the right thing to do. It's something that has to be done,' Trump said. 'Jerusalem is today, and must remain, a place where Jews pray at the Western Wall, where Christians walk the Stations of the Cross, and where Muslims worship at Al-Aqsa Mosque,' the president said.
Some Christian evangelicals, including adherents to Christian Zionism,
cite Biblical prophesies that that return of the Jews (the descendants of
Abraham) to the Holy Land heralds the second coming of Christ. Some also believe this will bring about the
conversion of the Jews to Christianity.
TRUMP'S SPEECH DECLARING JERUSALEM ISRAEL'S CAPITAL
'When I came into office, I promised to
look at the world's challenges with open eyes and very fresh thinking.
'We cannot solve our problems by making
the same failed assumptions and repeating the same failed strategies of the
past. All challenges demand new approaches.
'My announcement today marks the
beginning of a new approach to conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
'In 1995, Congress adopted the
Jerusalem Embassy Act urging the federal government to relocate the American
Embassy to Jerusalem and to recognize that that city, and so importantly, is
Israel's capital. This act passed congress by an overwhelming bipartisan
majority. And was reaffirmed by unanimous vote of the Senate only six months
ago.
'Yet for over 20 years, every previous
American president has exercised the law's waiver, refusing to move the U.S.
Embassy to Jerusalem or to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital city.
Presidents issued these waivers under the belief that delaying the recognition
of Jerusalem would advance the cause of peace. Some say they lacked courage but
they made their best judgments based on facts as they understood them at the
time. Nevertheless, the record is in.
'After more than two decades of
waivers, we are no closer to a lasting peace agreement between Israel and the
Palestinians.
'It would be folly to assume that
repeating the exact same formula would now produce a different or better
result. Therefore, I have determined that it is time to officially recognize
Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. While previous presidents have made this a
major campaign promise, they failed to deliver.
'Today I am delivering. I've judged
this course of action to be in the best interests of the United States of
America and the pursuit of peace between Israel and the Palestinians. This is a
long overdue step to advance the peace process. And to work towards a lasting
agreement.
'Israel is a sovereign nation with the
right, like every other sovereign nation, to determine its own capital.
Acknowledging this is a fact is a necessary condition for achieving peace. It
was 70 years ago that the United States under President Truman recognized the
state of Israel.
'Ever since then, Israel has made its
capital in the city of Jerusalem, the capital the Jewish people established in
ancient times. Today, Jerusalem is the seat of the modern Israeli government.
It is the home of the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, as well as the Israeli
Supreme Court. It is the location of the official residence of the prime
minister and the president. It is the headquarters of many government
ministries.
'For decades, visiting American
presidents, secretaries of State and military leaders have met their Israeli
counterparts in Jerusalem, as I did on my trip to Israel earlier this year.
'Jerusalem is not just the heart of
three great religions, but it is now also the heart of one of the most
successful democracies in the world. Over the past seven decades, the Israeli
people have by the a country where Jews, Muslims and Christians and people of
all faiths are free to live and worship according to their conscience and
according to their beliefs.
'Jerusalem is today and must remain a
place where Jews pray at the Western Wall, where Christians walk the stations
of the cross, and where Muslims worship at Al-Aqsa Mosque. However, through all
of these years, presidents representing the United States have declined to
officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. In fact, we have declined
to acknowledge any Israeli capital at all.
'But today we finally acknowledge the
obvious. That Jerusalem is Israel's capital. This is nothing more or less than
a recognition of reality. It is also the right thing to do. It's something that
has to be done.
'That is why consistent with the
Jerusalem embassy act, I am also directing the State Department to begin
preparation to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This will
immediately begin the process of hiring architects, engineers and planners so
that a new embassy, when completed, will be a magnificent tribute to peace.
'In making these announcements, I also
want to make one point very clear. This decision is not intended in any way to
reflect a departure from our strong commitment to facilitate a lasting peace
agreement.
'We want an agreement that is a great
deal for the Israelis and a great deal for the Palestinians. We are not taking
a position of any final status issues including the specific boundaries of the
Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem or the resolution of contested borders. Those
questions are up to the parties involved.
'The United States remains deeply
committed to helping facilitate a peace agreement that is acceptable to both
sides. I intend to do everything in my power to help forge such an agreement.
Without question, Jerusalem is one of the most sensitive issues in those talks.
'The United States would support a
two-state solution if agreed to by both sides. In the meantime, I call on all
parties to maintain the status quo at Jerusalem's holy sites including the
Temple Mount, also known as Haram al-Sharif. Above all, our greatest hope is
for peace. The universal yearning in every human soul.
'With today's action, I reaffirm my
administration's longstanding commitment to a future of peace and security for
the region. There will, of course, be disagreement and dissent regarding this
announcement. But we are confident that ultimately, as we work through these disagreements,
we will arrive at a peace and a place far greater in understanding and
cooperation. This sacred city should call forth the best in humanity.
'Lifting our sights to what is
possible, not pulling us back and down to the old fights that have become so
totally predictable. Peace is never beyond the grasp of those willing to reach
it.
'So today we call for calm, for
moderation, and for the voices of tolerance to prevail over the purveyors of
hate. Our children should inherit our love, not our conflicts. I repeat the
message I delivered at the historic and extraordinary summit in Saudi Arabia
earlier this year: The Middle East is a region rich with culture, spirit, and
history. Its people are brilliant, proud and diverse. Vibrant and strong.
'But the incredible future awaiting
this region is held at bay by bloodshed, ignorance and terror.
'Vice President Pence will travel to
the region in the coming days to reaffirm our commitment to work with partners
throughout the Middle East to defeat radicalism that threatens the hopes and
dreams of future generations.
I't is time for the many who desire
peace to expel the extremists from their midsts. It is time for all civilized
nations and people to respond to disagreement with reasoned debate, not
violence. And it is time for young and moderate voices all across the Middle
East to claim for themselves a bright and beautiful future.
'So today, let us rededicate ourselves
to a path of mutual understanding and respect. Let us rethink old assumptions
and open our hearts and minds to possible and possibilities.
'And finally, I ask the leaders of the
region political and religious, Israeli and Palestinian, Jewish and Christian
and Muslim to join us in the noble quest for lasting peace.
'Thank you. God bless you. God bless
Israel. God bless the Palestinians and God bless the United States.'