WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Trump is following through on his promise to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel and has instructed the State Department to begin to relocate the U.S. Embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the White House said today.
According to Vice President Mike Pence: “Today, our President took a historic step to make it clear that America stands with our allies – especially our most cherished ally, Israel. For nearly 20 years, Congress and successive administrations have expressed a willingness to move the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Yet more than two decades of talk has resulted in no action – until now. President Donald J. Trump is a man of his word, and he is committed to keep the promises he made to the American people. And as the world saw today, this President is just as committed to the cause of peace – in the Middle East and across the wider world.”
The White House also released this information on the matter:
- Today, December 6, 2017, President Trump recognized Jerusalem, the ancient capital of the Jewish people, as the capital of the State of Israel.
- In taking this action, President Trump fulfilled a major campaign promise of his and many previous Presidential candidates.
- The Trump Administration is fully coordinated in supporting this historic action by the President, and has engaged broadly with both our Congressional and international partners on this issue.
- President Trump’s action enjoys broad, bipartisan support in Congress, including as expressed in the Jerusalem Recognition Act of 1995. This Act was reaffirmed by a unanimous vote of the Senate only six months ago.
- President Trump has instructed the State Department to develop a plan to relocate the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
- Departments and Agencies have implemented a robust security plan to ensure the safety of our citizens and assets in the region.
STATUS OF JERUSALEM: President Trump recognizes that specific boundaries of sovereignty in Jerusalem is highly sensitive and subject to final status negotiations.
- President Trump recognizes that the status of Jerusalem is a highly-sensitive issue, but he does not think the peace process is aided by ignoring the simple truth that Jerusalem is home to Israel’s legislature, supreme court, President, and Prime Minister.
- President Trump recognizes that the specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem are subject to final status negotiations between the parties.
- President Trump reaffirms United States support for the status quo at the Temple Mount, also known as Haram al Sharif.
COMMITTED TO THE PEACE PROCESS: President Trump is committed to achieving a lasting peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians.
- President Trump remains committed to achieving a lasting peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians, and he is optimistic that peace can be achieved.
- Delaying the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has not helped achieve peace over the past two decades.
- President Trump is prepared to support a two-state solution to the dispute between the Israelis and Palestinians, if agreed to by the parties.
The State Department released this statement:
President Trump‘s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital aligns U.S. presence with the reality that Jerusalem is home to Israel’s legislature, Supreme Court, President’s office, and Prime Minister‘s office.
We have consulted with many friends, partners, and allies in advance of the President making his decision. We firmly believe there is an opportunity for a lasting peace.
As the President said in his remarks today, “Peace is never beyond the grasp of those willing to reach it.”
The President decided today, as Congress first urged in the Jerusalem Embassy Act in 1995, and has reaffirmed regularly since, to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The State Department will immediately begin the process to implement this decision by starting the preparations to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The safety of Americans is the State Department’s highest priority, and in concert with other federal agencies, we’ve implemented robust security plans to protect the safety of Americans in affected regions.
“Pres. @realDonaldTrump was correct to recognize #Jerusalem as Israel's capitol. I'm glad we have a leader who is willing to finally acknowledge this Is-reality.”
— Steve King (@SteveKingIA) December 7, 2017
