President Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital Wednesday.
The President ordered the US embassy to be moved, however; it may take a few years.
Trump said, “It is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”
.@POTUS: “It is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.” pic.twitter.com/bTdLD4LpbX
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 6, 2017
“This decision is not intended in any way to reflect a departure from our strong commitment to facilitate a lasting peace agreement,” POTUS Trump continued.
.@POTUS: “This decision is not intended in any way to reflect a departure from our strong commitment to facilitate a lasting peace agreement.” https://t.co/3g92EJk7Eg pic.twitter.com/mNNyAzhdA2
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 6, 2017
More from Fox News:
The U.S. would be the first country to move its embassy to Jerusalem, which is claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians. Other countries who have diplomatic relations with Israel keep their embassies in Tel Aviv.
But the embassy move would not be immediate and could take at least three or four years.
The U.S. officials said there are currently about 1,000 personnel in the embassy in Tel Aviv. They added that there is no facility in Jerusalem ready to serve as the embassy site, and it will take time to address security, design and cost concerns.
Ahead of the announcement, Trump spoke Tuesday with Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas, Jordanian King Abdullah and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu has said he supports the U.S. moving its embassy. But Abbas has warned of the “gravity of consequences” should the move become official for “the peace process and security and stability in the region and world.”
To no one’s surprise, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that moving the capital was a ‘red line’ for Muslims and possibly result in Turkey severing diplomatic ties with Israel, according to a Fox News report.