Trump move on Jerusalem may ‘inflame’ world tension
DONALD TRUMP has announced that the United States now recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in a move that upends decades of US policy.
The US president said in a White House speech that he is “determined that it is time to officially recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel”.
He said he has deemed this change to be in America’s interests. Mr Trump said the decision “marks the beginning of a new approach to conflict between Israel and the Palestinians”.
But world leaders have warned that the move could inflame tensions in the volatile Middle East. The head of the Islamic militant group Hamas accused Mr Trump of disregarding Palestinian feelings with his move.
Prime Minister Theresa May said: “We disagree with the US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem and recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital before a final status agreement.
“We believe it is unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region. The British Embassy to Israel is based in Tel Aviv and we have no plans to move it.
“Our position on the status of Jerusalem is clear and longstanding: it should be determined in a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and Jerusalem should ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states.
“In line with relevant Security Council Resolutions, we regard East Jerusalem as part of the Occupied Palestinian Territories.”
She added: “We share President Trump’s desire to bring an end to this conflict.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described Mr Trump’s move as “reckless”. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson will issue a call for unity with Muslims around the world who are “equally determined” to fight Islamist terror.
The Foreign Secretary will today say the West needs to realise that hundreds of millions of Muslims are on its side in the battle against terrorism. His speech comes after Mrs May rowed with Mr Trump over his sharing on Twitter of anti-Muslim videos.
AMERICA’S FRIENDS and foes have unleashed fierce criticism ahead of President Donald Trump’s announcement recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
While Israel welcomed the news, Palestinian officials declared the Middle East peace process “finished” and Turkey announced it would host a meeting of Islamic nations next week to give Muslim countries’ leaders an opportunity to co-ordinate a response.
The US president said in a White House speech that he is “determined that it is time to officially recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel”.
The Arab League scheduled an emergency meeting on Saturday. The harsh global reaction cast questions about the feasibility of a brewing US peace plan that is expected to be presented by the White House in the near future.
The Palestinians seek east Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state and fear that Mr Trump’s declaration essentially imposes on them a disastrous solution for one of the core issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“There is no way that there can be talks with the Americans. The peace process is finished. They have already pre-empted the outcome,” said Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi.
“They cannot take us for granted.”
The US decision “destroys the peace process”, added Palestinian prime minister Rami Hamdallah.
US officials said late on Tuesday that Mr Trump will recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, despite intense Arab, Muslim and European opposition to a move that would upend decades of US policy and risk potentially violent protests.
Mr Trump unveiled his plan in a speech last night. Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Facebook: “Our historical national identity is receiving important expressions everyday.”
Education minister Naftali Bennett, head of the nationalist Jewish Home party, praised what he called Mr Trump’s “bold and yet natural” move.
“The sooner the Arab world recognises Jerusalem as our capital, the sooner we will reach real peace. Real peace that is not predicated on an illusion that we are going to carve up Jerusalem and carve up Israel,” Mr Bennett said.
International leaders, however, swiftly criticised Mr Trump’s plan.
China, which has good ties with Israel and the Palestinians, expressed concerns over “possible aggravation of regional tensions”.
Russia, a key Middle East player, expressed its concern about a “possible deterioration”.
Two leading Lebanese newspapers published front-page rebukes of Mr Trump.
Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the “whole world is against” Mr Trump’s move, and the supreme leader of Iran, Israel’s staunchest enemy, condemned Mr Trump. The state TV’s website quoted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as saying that “the victory will ultimately be for the Islamic nation and Palestine”.
Iran does not recognise Israel, and supports anti-Israeli militant groups. America’s consulate in Jerusalem ordered US personnel and families to avoid visiting Jerusalem’s Old City or the West Bank, and urged American citizens in general to avoid places with police or military presence.
There is no way there can be talks. The peace process is finished. Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi.