Major, and most welcome. Jerusalem belongs to Israel by the record of history, international law, and the right of conquest that is recognized for every other state in the world, but not for Israel. This is an extremely encouraging development; we can only hope there will be more to come.
“Trump Admin Declares Jerusalem Part of Israel in Major Policy Shift,” by Adam Kredo, Washington Free Beacon, May 22, 2017:
The Trump administration declared the president is in “Jerusalem, Israel,” on Monday for a series of meetings with Israeli officials, a proclamation that breaks with years of American policy refraining from stating that the city of Jerusalem is part of Israel.
Senior Trump administration officials had ignited a wave of controversy over the past several weeks when discussing Jerusalem, with some top officials refusing to say that the ancient city is part of Israel.
Decades of U.S. policy has refrained from formally labeling Jerusalem as part of Israel due to concerns this could negatively impact the Middle East peace process, in which Palestinian leaders have staked a claim to the city as their future capital.
Ahead of a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House, on its official website, provided a live stream of the event. Prior to its start, the White House included a frame stating, “President Trump gives remarks with Prime Minister Netanyahu.” The location provided was “Jerusalem, Israel.”
The statement appears to be part of an effort to normalize this language, which is widely backed by U.S. lawmakers and senior officials in the administration, sources said.
The State Department, which is disposed to address the issue with more caution, declined to comment on the latest declaration, instead referring a reporter to the White House. The White House did not provide comment on the matter by press time. Pro-Israel observers on Twitter and other social media immediately praised the declaration.
The Obama administration also faced its own controversies when dealing with the city. The former administration was caught altering official photographs to remove “Israel” as the location for several meetings. The effort roiled the pro-Israel community, but was in line with standing U.S. policy.
The Trump administration has faced its own struggles on the issue.
Candidate Trump vowed in multiple speeches on the campaign trail that he would move the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the country’s capital.
While U.S. law states that the embassy should be moved, consecutive presidents have waived the requirement, claiming that it interferes with efforts to advance Middle East peace.
Trump’s administration has taken heat from the pro-Israel community for failing thus far to take concrete action on moving the embassy. While White House officials maintain that the plan is still being examined, the slow roll of the move has angered Trump’s biggest pro-Israel supporters.
Trump administration officials also have issued a range of answers when pressed to explain whether they believe Jerusalem is part of Israel.
White House National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster last week would not tell reporters whether Israel’s holiest site, the Western Wall, is located in Israel proper.
The latest declaration on the issue by the Trump administration appears to show that the president is committed to affirming Israel’s sovereignty over the city and turning the page from years of chilly relations between the Israeli government and the United States under former President Barack Obama.
In joint remarks with Netanyahu, Trump emphasized his opposition to the landmark Iran nuclear deal, blaming the previous administration for inking a deal that has only emboldened the Islamic Republic….
Kiel says
More statements to come, hopefully. As it is rightly mentioned above “Jerusalem belongs to Israel by the record of history, international law, and the right of conquest.” Not the least the last sentence is obvious here. Israel was attacked by Jordan which has occupied the West Bank since Israel’s war of independence. Israel won it back, so to speak. The land west of the River Jordan is won in a war brought on Israel.
Custos Custodum says
Rather worrying that Netanyahu did not have the courage to stand next to his visitor.
There are larger forces at work in the U.S. who believe they know better how to “solve” the Middle East “problem” because they were taught all that is knowable to mortals at Georgetown or Yale.
These arachnids are weaving an increasingly constricting filament around Trump and poisoning his entourage.
Baucent says
I understand from earlier reports that Netanyahu did want to accompany Trump to the Western Wall, but it was the Trump side that pushed back on that idea.
Surak says
This is libel. Netanyahu did ask to accompany Trump to the Western Wall. Trump refused, as he has refused to fulfill his promise to move the American embassy. I voted for him, but he has not lived up to his promises.
Don Foss says
It’s a huge ship to turn. A lot of mechanisms have to happen first. Time and patience.
vlparker says
Long overdue. Maybe there is hope for Trump yet.
miriamrove says
You said that one right. m
Voytek Gagalka says
So now, Mr. President, MOVE the American embassy to that Israeli capital. DO NOT DELAY!!!
Shmooviyet says
Agreed– keep that vow.
gravenimage says
Yes–I would *love* to see him keep that promise.
a Voice says
Mr President, please…no more waivers delaying the move; Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.
Our embassy should there; not in Tel Aviv.
Custos Custodum says
GREATNESS within your reach, Mr. President.
Just do it. Afterwards, calling Jerusalem the capital of Israel will seem like the most natural thing in the world.
The homicidal tendencies of Israel’s Muslim neighbor are what they are, whether they have a ready-made excuse to seize on or create one for the occasion.
shosh7154 says
There should have been an Israeli crowd to meet President Trump, like America receiving the Beatles, shouting MOVE IT …. MOVE IT….. MOVE IT
shosh7154 says
There should have been an Israeli crowd, like America receiving the Beatles, shouting
MOVE IT !
MOVE IT !
MOVE IT !
Benedict says
Israels sovereignty over Jerusalem is a constant reminder of the impotence of Allah and his ridiculous prophet on his flying donkey. The Jews should tear down the two mosques on the Temple Mount, that would deal a decisive blow to Islam and the peace process could have a realistic chance for success.
TJ says
In the old testament, the Jewish prophet Zechariah spoke to the Jews on the temple issue. He also foretold of the crucifixion of Jesus. He gave out big complements to the Jews that were building the temple of stones in front of him. But he also said a greater version of the temple than the one they are building would come in the future. Then, the person who Zechariah said would be crucified came and referred to himself as the temple. Zechariah’s word on the temple is good because Jesus can be greater for the Jews than a temple of stones. That is because Jesus can respond to scriptural prompts to intervene against the murder of Jews. The same prophets people are using to make evidence Jesus is the messiah also say Jesus will respond to their words which prompt God and Him to intervene against murder of Jews. If Jesus doesn’t do this, He hasn’t fulfilled all the requirements of being the messiah which are laid out in the word of the prophets. If Jesus does respond to their prompts, the word of Zechariah would be fulfilled and the Jews would have something much more valuable than a temple of stone or a deteriorating building with a golden dome.
no_one says
Human body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. This is probably what Jesus meant. This is why Orthodox Church doesn’t encourage cremation, burning of the temple.
no_one says
Or may be is more correct to say that body is a temple for the soul, but Jesus was not just anyone. His is God.
TJ says
You should quote Jesus on this subject. He claimed God would hold people accountable for all murder, ‘from righteous Abel to Zechariah’. This is His way of taking a stand against murder against innocent members of someone’s family or murder against biblical supporters. His quotes are greater and more important than what a building can do.
Surak says
We are not interested in your lies about our scriptures. We are definitely not interested in your idolatrous religion. You Christians invented jihad and have the blood of millions of Jews on your hands. We want you out of our holy land, which God promised to us eternally.
DiploNerd says
Surak, many Christians like myself are horrified and ashamed at what Christians have done to so many Jews over the centuries. First, I ask for your forgiveness.
Second, I ask you to be willing to work together in a spirit of brotherhood against the threat we both face today. United we will stand. Divided we will fall.
When Muhammad led his army to the Jewish town of Khaybar with its impregnable fortresses and its 10,000 men who marched every day, he told his men: the Jews are divided. Then he conquered each of Khaybar’s forts, one at a time. Let us stand together against this evil.
James says
Good 🙂
endislam says
Seems Trump is inching closer to moving the embassy to Jerusalem. I never gave up home in him.
shosh7154 says
If President Trump does nothing, the law will go into effect May 31 making Jerusalem the undivided capital of the Jewish state.
Jerusalem Embassy Act of May 31, 1995
Dave Flang says
History shows when past presidents tried to stick Israel with the so called “Peace Accords”, that is dividing Israel piece by piece, horrendous storms and other catastrophes struck America. George Washington had an excellent relationship with the Jews that came to the colonies and they gave money for uniforms and ships.
From the book, “How Satan Turned America Against God” by William Grady. . .
Terry says
Pres. Trump CANNOT legally move the embassy to Jerusleum until June. The law that recognized it and gave the pres the option to postpone moving it -for six months. Obam’s last extension ends May 31, 2017.
In my view, doesn’t make that much EXCEPT PERHAPS psychologically. the us has a consulate in Jerusleum, and the Ambassador has a condo there AND HE SAID THAT HE WOULD BE WORKING OUT OF JERULEUM- .
Wellington says
Trump cannot do everything he wants all at once. This should be kept in mind by all those who earlier supported him but who have so easily deserted him. What Trump has done here about Jerusalem is a major step in the right direction, as have been his executive orders on immigration (stupidly shot down by judges engaging in fake law), on business regulations, on energy (e.g., the Keystone Pipeline), on the appointment of Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, on the firing of the incompetent Comey, et al.
Give this man time. He’s only been in office for months, not years, and he has enemies most everywhere who want to bring him down, including many Republicans like the ever increasingly despicable John McCain. I would contend that, in general, the more enemies Trump piles up such is indicative of how fortunate the West is to have this man occupying the most powerful office in the world.
I don’t know for a certainty that Trump will eventually end up doing lots of things right for America and the West, and he has made mistakes so far (e.g., the appointment of McMaster and Mannis to their respective positions), but, compared to Obama, Bush too but to a lesser degree, he is a breath of fresh air and the strongest, most powerful, force for liberty in all the world.
The fact that Trump has so many enemies is partially dispositive of his potential greatness. Of course, the verdict is still out here and I know full well that this or that Trump denouncer can cite this or that thing Trump has done which does not, on its surface, advance liberty, but all who cherish freedom should remember that best is enemy of better and better is enemy of good.
And please do think of Obama in any calculation of Trump. See how much better off we are? If you don’t, then reconsider if you’re able because whatever Trump’s faults he is still infinitely preferable to the worst President in American history, the one who immediately preceded Trump in the Oval Office. I mean (and excuse my delving into the course colloquial) Obama really sucked. Big time. Just look at the way Obama shit on Israel while obsequiously dealing with Iran. Yeah, do look at this. Imperative that one does so I would contend. And long live Israel, the only decent polity in all of the Middle East, something else Obama never realized or refused to realize. But Trump does realize this I would argue. Easily so.
Wellington says
That’s “coarse colloquial” and not “course colloquial.” Oh brother.
Terry says
Wellington–one other thing–re: Trump.
Every six months, a major COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PUBLICATION takes a survey (of its readers–most of whom are in top or at least high positions) in the US commercial real estate market, nationwide. REIT’s, etc.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2 YEARS- THE INDEX WAS POSITIVE IN VIRTUALLY ALL AREAS. (thre are numerous questions asked,- which is what is meant by areas); the figures for GROWTH IN EMPLOYMENT was quite strong.
Also, one of the trade associations of small businesses- had surveys- STRONGEST POSITIVES IN 42 YEARS. Biggest complaint–TRYING TO FIND ENOUGH SKILLED WORKERS.
Hell of a change from Obama.
gravenimage says
True, Wellington. Rome was, as they say, not built in a day.
ibrahim itace muhammed says
Mr Spencer,you lied.There is no cogent and irrefutable historical evidence to prove that jerusalem exclusively belonged to israelites with exception of myths contained in christian and jewish scriptures which were biased stories.on the position of the law,un resolution no.181 divided jerusalem into two portions,one for Israel and the other for palestine.which un resolution gives exclusive ownership of Jerusalem to israel?on acquisition of territory by conquest,the un charter explicitly prohibited it and even the security council cannot pass a resolution legalising it. so ,mr spencer you and devil trump are just expressing wishful thinking.Even Netanyahu knows at the bottom of his heart that mad trump cannot confer exclusive ownership of jerusalem to evil state of Israel.This is because the united states has no longer hegemonic control over the world.Any attempt by trump will meet serious challenges at the un
no_one says
Why don’t you get lost with your hatred and bigotry. Jesus was a historical person. Ancient historians wrote about him. UN is nothing. US should stop sponsor that evil organization and kick it out of the US. “Palestinians” did not exist before 1960 -ties when KGB invented them. It was all Jordan before that. Or do you expect me to believe in the flying donkey BS. If you are capable of logical thinking you would see that there is no allah. MoHamHead is alla.
Custos Custodum says
I believe the Phakestinian myth was only created in the 1970s.
In any event, Phakies to this day boast to each other about their imagined and sometimes real ancestry in Jordan or Saudi Arabia, and try to gloss over their Georgian, Circassian, Armenian and other Christian forebears going back to the Crusaders.
abad says
Ibrahim, did you remember to fulfill your daily quota?
gravenimage says
Muslim supremacist ibrahim itace muhammed wrote:
Mr Spencer,you (sic) lied.There is no cogent and irrefutable historical evidence to prove that jerusalem (sic) exclusively belonged to israelites (sic) with exception of myths contained in christian (sic) and jewish (sic) scriptures which were biased stories.
………………………….
Of course, ibrahim itace muhammed understands nothing about history and archaeology. Given the fact that he rejects reason, this should not surprise.
More:
on (sic) the position of the law,un (sic) resolution no.181 divided jerusalem (sic) into two portions,one (sic) for Israel and the other for palestine.which (sic) un (sic) resolution gives exclusive ownership of Jerusalem to israel?on (sic) acquisition of territory by conquest,the (sic) un charter explicitly prohibited it and even the security council cannot pass a resolution legalising it.
………………………….
This is grimly hilarious, of course, Muslims regularly reject international law, most saliently the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Muslims only cite the UN when it is practicing dhimmitude.
More:
so (sic),mr (sic) spencer (sic) you and devil trump are just expressing wishful thinking.Even (sic) Netanyahu knows at the bottom of his heart that mad trump(sic) cannot confer exclusive ownership of jerusalem (sic) to evil state of Israel.This (sic) is because the united (sic) states (sic) has no longer hegemonic control over the world.Any (sic) attempt by trump (sic) will meet serious challenges at the un (sic)
………………………….
Notice muhammed’s bait and switch? President Trump merely noted that he was in Jerusalem, Israel. The UN itself notes that this is the case. But the ultimate goal of Islam, of course, is the utter destruction of Israel, which includes turning the great city of Jerusalem into another Islamic sh*thole. *Ugh*.
Wellington says
On the matter of Jerusalem and who has the rights to it, ibrahim.:
By right of conquest, if no other right (though such right abounds with the Jews gong back not just centuries but millennia, a people whom Islam despises as made most clear is such Suras as 2,5 and 7), does modern Israel have the right to ALL of Jerusalem since the 1967 War.
And you, above all people, should “get” the idea of conquest as a moving force in history, a “right” in law and fact, since Islam in its early years was very much into conquest. I mean enormously so——–but Muzzies like you tend to only point out conquests by the West and not by the Islamic world. Yes indeed, it is one of many hypocrisies that can be found in Islam, another one being that Muslims actually think they can build their houses of worship, preach their faith to non-believers, etc., in non-Muslim lands but do not accord the same right to non-Muslims in Muslim-dominated lands. Do you get at all how disgusting this double standard is? No, of course you don’t.
You know, ibrahim, you come across time and time again as just another Muslim hater, which very term, “Muslim hater,” is practically a redundancy and in and of itself says so much about the worst religion ever founded by man. And, btw, long live Israel——–and with Jerusalem as its capital, notwithstanding that silly donkey ride Mohammed took to said city————which no one, I mean no other witness, NO ONE, saw at all. Yeah, right.
You’re a loser with a loser faith, ibrahim. But keep posting. Please do so because you confirm again and again just how rotten (and stupid) to the core the Islamic religion truly is. But have a nice day, you intellectual and moral cretin. Done here for now.
P.S. You might want to consider enrolling at Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. There you would be hailed as someone of import, but this is due to just how far Catholic universities in America (and elsewhere) have fallen. Ditto for the papacy which is now occupied by an apologist and enabler of Islamic barbarism (ah, yet again a redundancy, but I digress).
shosh7154 says
Speaking of the secret intelligence donkey ride of mr. mohammed, the whole of the quran has ZERO WITNESSES. Just Mohamed who alone proclaims the tall tales of arabian nights of rape, marauding and murder loved so much by allah the god of lies and hate and death.
Wellington says
Concluded long ago that “Allah” was just Mohammed’s alter ego, his metaphorical hand puppet. And just imagine all that moronic head banging five times a day over the centuries by hundreds of millions in deference to Allah. (Gee, can one spell ZEBIBAH?)
Talk about human life as an absurdity. Here Islam is a “contender.”
ibrahim itace muhammed says
the witness for christianity was the Satan appearing like a dove you call holy ghost(your god no.3).Read islamic history ,a caravan from syria saw prophet Muhammad when he ascending to heaven at Jerusalem.
Baucent says
There is truckloads of archeological evidence in the museums of Israel and around the world of the Jewish presence in Jerusalem for 3,500 years. But I don’t expect an idiot like you to know that.
DiploNerd says
Dear Ibrahim Muhammad,
Welcome! It’s nice to see you here on Jihadwatch. It’s always refreshing to see people interacting with others who have very different views from their own. I hope you will read Jihadwatch every day. We all will learn something from the exchange.
gravenimage says
Major policy shift: Trump administration declares Jerusalem part of Israel
………………
I have been disappointed by some of President Trump’s latest actions–or inactions–but this is *excellent* to hear! Kudos to him.
shosh7154 says
If President Trump does nothing, the law will go into effect May 31 making Jerusalem the undivided capital of the Jewish state.
Jerusalem Embassy Act of May 31, 1995
David, Thailand says
Jerusalem is part of Israel?
London is “part” of England, and it’s capital city, just as Tel-Aviv is to Israel.
Trump will soon get dizzy spinning away from the very points that won him the election.
Surak says
Manchester is England’s capital, because I say so. Who cares if the government buildings are actually in London?
What government buildings are in Tel Aviv? City hall! The national government of Israel is in its capital, Jerusalem. Get with the program.
shosh7154 says
Time to celebrate Jersalem, the City of G-d of Israel. Psalms 135:21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
no other god belongs on the temple mount…ONLY THE LIVING G-D, THE G-D OF ISRAEL
Joeyn says
This is definitely a very encouraging sign from President Trump. However I just cannot be satisfied with President Trump being better than his knuckle-head predecessor called Obama. I hope President Trump does more to deal with the threat of Islam before it is too late.
common sense says
President Trump is doing good on his first unprecedented trip to the middle east. Not just, adequate, well or satisfactory but good. As in NOT evil.
A. ALAM says
Viral comment made in Arabic on Facebook about President Turmp’s visit to Saudi Arabia:
“All the tribute (Jiziyah) that Muslims cashed from Christians in 14 centuries was recovered by Trump in one single session.”
Mirit says
I was born in Jerusalem, in 1969 – after the six day war. I now live about half an hour ride from Jerusalem.
This whole argument is so unrealistic to me. So childish and absurd. When you see a chair – you recognize that it is a chair. If you don’t, you’re stupid and out of touch with reality, and the chair will still be a chair.
The city of Jerusalem is connected with big roads to all parts of Israel. It is run by an Israeli city hall and Israeli tax payers are its source of income.
The city of Jerusalem has houses, buildings, shopping centers, public transportation, etc., etc. – all managed by Israel. It does not matter what Trump says or what the king of Jordan says. Jerusalem is inside Israel. It is not in the sky. It is the Capital of Israel, like a chair is a chair and not a table.
There’s no point in not recognizing the reality. You can be sent to a psycho home if you refuse to recognize reality.