Trump Recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that “it is time to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”
Defying dire and worldwide warnings, the US President broke with decades of US and international policy by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Despite urgent appeals from Arab and European leaders and the risk of anti-American protests and violence, Trump declared that he was ending an approach that for decades has failed to advance the prospects for peace. He also for the first time personally endorsed the concept of a “two-state solution” for Israel and the Palestinians, provided both sides agree to it.
Calling the move “overdue” and in the best interest of the United States, he said, “This is nothing more or less than the recognition of reality.”
Trump also directed that the State Department begin the process of moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as required by US law. Officials said, however, that the move will take years to complete.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump, saying Israel was “profoundly grateful.”
In a video message, Netanyahu called it a “historic day.”
“We’re profoundly grateful for the president for his courageous and just decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to prepare for the opening of the US embassy here,” he said.
Netanyahu said the move reflects Trump’s “commitment to an ancient but enduring truth, to fulfilling his promises and to advancing peace.
According to Joel Rosenberg of Alliance for the Peace of Jerusalem,the news of President Trump recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is an answer to the prayers of many Christians.
“Never has there been a more urgent moment for the church to be praying for the peace of Jerusalem than right now. I say this as an evangelical. I say this as now an Israeli citizen and a Jerusalem resident,” Rosenberg told CBN News.
“These issues are explosive. So how the church handles it, how we speak about it, how we act toward people we disagree with and how we pray: these things matter,” he continued.
Rosenberg’s organization is working to educate the next generation of Christians about the biblical importance of Israel as the Holy Land.
