US President Donald Trump on Wednesday formally recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing nearly seven decades of American foreign policy and setting in motion a plan to move the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to the Holy City.
“I have determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” said Trump, speaking from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House.
Trump described the move as “a long overdue step” to advance the Middle East peace process.
The president said the US would support a two-state solution, if approved by both the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Ahead of the decision, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned it would have “dangerous consequences” for the region.
Zvi Zilber, editor at the Voice of Israel Radio said in an interview with Public Radio of Armenia earlier today that the announcement would not bring about considerable changes, at last in the lives of Israelis.
“Jerusalem has long been our capital, it’s an established fact, and it doesn’t matter much whether President Trump recognizes it or not,” he added.
Zvi Zilber does not think the decision will turn into a Third Intifada, as today’s conflict in the Middle East in not between Israelis and Palestinians.
“The main conflict is between Sunni and Shia Muslims led by Saudi Arabia nd Iran,” he noted.
