Daily Mail: My act of political courage: Trump will recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital TODAY despite international fury from the Pope, the UK, Russia, China, Turkey, Iran and Palestinians who say 'he's declaring war against 1.5 billion Muslims'
* President Trump is set to announce he's recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital city, and starting the process of moving the U.S. embassy there from Tel Aviv
* 'Many presidents have said they want to do something, and they didn't do it; whether it's through courage or they change their mind I can't tell you,' he said
* International outcry was swift and furious ahead of speech expected at lunchtime in the U.S.
* Palestinians said it would be 'a kiss of death to the two-state solution' and Trump is 'declaring war in the Middle East'
* Pope Francis said he was 'profoundly concerned' and appealed that 'everyone respects the status quo of the city'
* China, which has good ties with Israel and the Palestinians, expressed concerns over 'possible aggravation of regional tensions'
* Iran's supreme leader said Trump's new stance represented 'incompetence and failure'
* Russia, a key Middle East player, expressed concern about a 'possible deterioration' there
* Moving the embassy to Jerusalem will unfold over 'years,' a senior White House official said; 'It won't be immediate, it won't be months, it won't be quick'
America's friends and foes unleashed fierce criticism on Wednesday ahead of Donald Trump's announcement recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital which is expected at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday.
But Trump is sticking to his guns, calling his decision an act of political courage.
The president previewed 'a big announcement' during a cabinet meeting, which he said concerns 'Israel and the Palestinians in the Middle East. And I think it's long overdue.'
Read more ....
More News On President Trump Announcing That The U.S. Will Recognize Jerusalem As Israel's Capital
The Latest: ‘Long overdue,’ Trump says about Jerusalem -- AP
Trump’s Jerusalem recognition: Fears of global backlash (Live Updates) -- RT
Trump says his decision on Jerusalem is long overdue -- Reuters
Defying warnings of new conflict, Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital -- Reuters
Donald Trump forges ahead with plans to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital despite warnings -- ABC News Online
Leaders warn of Trump plan to recognize Jerusalem as Israeli capital -- UPI
Palestinians protest against US recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital -- DW
Palestinians call days of rage over US Jerusalem plan -- Al Jazeera
World reacts to US Israel embassy relocation plan -- Al Jazeera
US Embassy move to Jerusalem could spark 'third intifada' Germany's former ambassador says -- DW
Mideast on edge ahead of Trump’s move on Jerusalem -- AP
U.S. asks officials to defer travel to Israel, West Bank to December 20 -- Reuters
Palestinian leader to respond to Trump's Jerusalem announcement in TV speech -- Reuters
6 comments:
This is a disaster.. and with objective reasoning, is not our fight. This was done in the interest of religion, not logics. It was a lose/lose for America since Balfour.
THis is not an act of courage. It's an act of utter stupidity and capitulation to the Israeli lobby in the US. Sheldon Adelson must be dancing with joy in his Las Vegas casino.
I am not sure what is meant in the comment above...lose/lose since Balfour? Does that mean America should have abstained on the UN vote or voted against?
reality: presidents and congresses in the past number of years have all pledged to move our embassy to Jerusalem...and have not. Trump said the same thing. And did.
the cons: Arabs and Iran and Turkey oppose the move. But then they also oppose Israel existing.
pros: Reality. If an Am official needs speak to Israel official, he does so at the capital, in Jerusalem We are now recognizing what we have long accepted.If Arabs want their own state and a capital in Jerusalem (shared), they can negotiate this at a peace table, should one come back into existance.
Recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is, in my view, a largely symbolic step but one that has at least one positive result.
The Palestinian Authority has rejected every attempt to negotiate a peace treaty with Israel over the years. This rejection was most vividly displayed when Arafat rejected the deal offered at Camp David, which most observers have agreed contained the most favorable terms any Palestinian negotiator could reasonably hope to get from the Israelis.
This pattern of the PLO rejecting every offer has continued over the years to now.
By refraining from acknowledging Jerusalem to be Israel's capital, the world has rewarded Palestinian intransigence. The decision by the United States today is a useful reminder to the Palestinians that their intransigence cannot operate as a veto over the nations of the world.
Fred,
While I don't always agree with what you post, your posts are always very informing and I have learned much from reading them. Please continue to post.:-) With that said the last paragraph of your post is spot on. The cons: there really are none. As you correctly point out, these countries already oppose Israel. The pros: you are spot on. I would remind people that adjusting to reality is always a good thing.
Carl,
A powerful Israeli lobby in the United States relative to other influences is a myth. The perpetration of this myth has caused untold damage to America's foreign policy over many decades.
Publius,
You are quite correct. I might add one that might get the Palestinians to the negotiations to the negotiating table to negotiate in good faith would be a cut off all aid to them or at the very least make it highly conditional like what Israel receives. This would place the parties on a more equal footing. In this situation, the Palestinians might be more willing to negotiate. As things have been for a long time, they have not wanted to nor have they had any real incentive to do so.
So the Israel lobby is counterbalanced by other lobbies?
What a relief.
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