United States recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel

United States recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel. The decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was made by Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, and announced on December 6, 2017, at the White House. This move was seen as a significant shift in United States foreign policy towards the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and was influenced by Zionist groups such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and Christians United for Israel. The recognition was also supported by Republican Party (United States) lawmakers, including Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio.

Background and historical context

The United States had previously maintained a policy of neutrality on the status of Jerusalem, with the U.S. Congress passing the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, which required the U.S. Department of State to relocate the United States Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. However, successive Presidents of the United States, including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, had waived the implementation of this law, citing national security concerns and the need to maintain a neutral stance in the Israeli–Palestinian peace process. The Camp David Accords, Oslo Accords, and Middle East Peace Conference had all attempted to address the status of Jerusalem, but a lasting resolution had yet to be achieved, with the Palestinian National Authority and Hamas continuing to claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. The United Nations Security Council Resolution 478 and United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181 had also addressed the status of Jerusalem, with the United Nations maintaining a position that the city's status should be determined through negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Announcement and policy shift

The announcement by Donald Trump was made in a speech at the White House, where he stated that the United States would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and begin the process of relocating the United States Embassy in Israel to the city. The move was seen as a significant policy shift, with Trump citing the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 and the need to recognize the reality of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The decision was supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Likud party lawmakers, including Avigdor Lieberman and Naftali Bennett. However, the move was criticized by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and other Palestinian National Authority officials, including Saeb Erekat and Nabil Shaath, who saw it as a threat to the two-state solution and the Palestinian right of return.

International reactions and diplomatic fallout

The recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by the United States was met with widespread international criticism, with many countries expressing concern about the impact on the Middle East peace process. The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the issue, with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressing concern about the potential for violence and instability in the region. The European Union, led by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, also criticized the move, citing the need for a negotiated solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The Arab League, led by Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, led by Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Secretary-General Yousef Al-Othaimeen, also condemned the recognition, with many Arab and Muslim countries expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Legal and political implications

The recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by the United States has significant legal and political implications, with many experts questioning the move's compatibility with international law. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181 and United Nations Security Council Resolution 478 had previously addressed the status of Jerusalem, with the United Nations maintaining a position that the city's status should be determined through negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. The International Court of Justice had also addressed the issue, with the ICJ ruling in the Wall Advisory Opinion that the construction of the Israeli West Bank barrier was a violation of international law. The recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by the United States has also been criticized by human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, who argue that it undermines the rights of the Palestinian people and perpetuates the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.

Implementation and embassy relocation

The relocation of the United States Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was completed on May 14, 2018, with a ceremony attended by United States Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The move was seen as a significant milestone in the implementation of the United States recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, with the United States becoming the first country to relocate its embassy to the city. The Guatemalan Embassy in Israel and Paraguayan Embassy in Israel have also relocated to Jerusalem, with other countries, including Honduras and Romania, considering similar moves. However, the relocation of the United States Embassy in Israel has been criticized by many countries, including Turkey, Iran, and China, who argue that it undermines the Middle East peace process and perpetuates the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Category:Israel–United States relations