President of the United States Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States is recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, marking the beginning of a "new approach to the Israel-Palestine" conflict. In a remark delivered at the White House, the president also said that he instructed the State Department to start relocating the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Trump mentioned that back in 1995, the Congress passed a law known as the Jerusalem Embassy Act, which called for the relocation of US embassy to Jerusalem. However, Trump noted that even though every president since then waived the law, refusing to acknowledge Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, "we are no closer to peace." Trump stressed that Israel has been waiting for 70 years for the world to recognize Jerusalem as its capital, despite it being the home of the Israeli parliament, the supreme court and the official residence of the prime minister and president.
Trump stated that officially recognizing Jerusalem as Israeli capital is a "long overdue step in the peace process" and a necessary condition for a lasting peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians which is good for both sides.The president said that he still supports the "two-state" solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict if that is what both sides want. He expressed confidence that his decision will contribute to a peaceful outcome, helping "voices of tolerance to prevail over hate."
