NZ Friends of Israel applauds US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

Jerusalem

NZ Friends of Israel applauds the President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States will officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and that the US embassy will be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is an acknowledgement of Israel’s historical and cultural ties to the city and also the modern day reality.  Jerusalem has been the seat of the Israeli government since 1949.  The State of Israel annexed East Jerusalem and it has been under Israeli law, jurisdiction and administration since 1967.

This decision finally fulfils the intentions of Congress which passed the Israeli Embassy Act in 1995, requiring that the embassy be moved to Jerusalem.  Apart from President Trump, every president since then has avoided obeying this law by signing national security waivers. 

“President Trump’s announcement firmly rebuts the recently passed UNESCO and UN General Assembly resolutions which sought to undermine Israel’s authority to govern Jerusalem,” says Tony Kan, President of the NZ Friends of Israel. 

“New Zealand is out of step with reality in supporting these resolutions.”

“It is about time that Israel’s connection to the city which spans thousands of years is finally acknowledged.  Arab calls that the move will derail the peace process are absurd because there is no observable peace process in play.  Repeated attempts to convince the Arab Palestinians to enter negotiations have failed, while Israel has frequently confirmed its willingness to talk.” 

Speak Your Mind

*