AJC Applauds U.S. Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's Capital City

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Dec 06, 2017, 13:01 ET

NEW YORK, Dec. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC, the global Jewish advocacy organization, praises President Trump for declaring today that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

"By stating the truth of Jerusalem's status as the capital of the State of Israel, President Trump has asserted U.S. global leadership towards ending a longstanding, senseless anomaly," said AJC CEO David Harris.

"With the Prime Minister's Office, the Knesset, and nearly all government offices situated in Jerusalem since Israel's independence nearly 70 years ago, it is inexplicable that countries around the world have refused to recognize Israel's capital," said Harris. "No other country in the world is treated this way."

AJC also welcomed President Trump's announcement that the U.S. Embassy will be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, reinforcing today's recognition of Israel's capital city.

"We look forward to the day when the American flag, at long last, is flying at a new U.S. Embassy in one of the capital city's western neighborhoods, which have been under Israeli sovereignty for nearly seven decades," said Harris.

Jerusalem has been uniquely connected to the Jewish people and Jewish consciousness for literally millennia.

Longstanding resistance to recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital has encouraged many UN member states, led by Arab and Muslim nations, to regularly adopt resolutions that ignore historical facts and deny any Jewish link to Jerusalem.

"We hope other countries will value the clarity and wisdom of President Trump's historic decision, and also recognize Jerusalem and relocate their embassies there," said Harris.

AJC, a longtime supporter of a negotiated two-state solution, emphasized that the President's declaration does not affect either the role of the United States as the essential facilitator of Israeli-Palestinian peace or the necessity of negotiations to resolve final-status issues of the conflict, including Palestinian claims regarding the disputed eastern part of Jerusalem.

"The administration's commitment to advancing that peace process is most welcome," said Harris.

AJC was the first American Jewish organization to open a permanent office in Jerusalem nearly 60 years ago. In celebration of Israel's 70^th anniversary, the annual AJC Global Forum will take place in Jerusalem in June, 2018.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee