How World Reacted on Trump’s Decision to Move Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem
Jerusalem, a cherished and combustible landmark, is one of the very few unifying issues in an Arab world plagued by wars and sectarianism. But even the prospect of Trump recognizing it as Israel’s capital became a reason for bickering between the Middle East’s Sunni and Shiite powerhouses, Saudi Arabia and Iran, who are engaged in a catastrophic proxy war for supremacy in the region.
President Trump on Wednesday formally recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing nearly seven decades of American foreign policy and setting in motion a plan to move the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to the fiercely contested Holy City.
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 06: U.S. President Donald Trump holds up a proclaimation that the U.S. government will formally recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel after signing the document in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House December 6, 2017 in Washington, DC. In keeping with a campaign promise, Trump said the United States will move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem sometime in the next few years. No other country has its embassy in Jerusalem. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
How it all started?
Well, you could see the beginning with the Trump’s summarized tweet
I have determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. I am also directing the State Department to begin preparation to move the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem… pic.twitter.com/YwgWmT0O8m
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2017
Here’s how the world reacted to this
Antonio Guterres – Secretary-General United Nations responded to this as a moment of anxiety and focused on the two-state solution
In this moment of great anxiety, I want to make it clear: there is no alternative to the two-state solution. There is no Plan B. — @antonioguterres on the Middle East Peace Process: https://t.co/0eP9lzTjL4 pic.twitter.com/BtjwokDlzH
— United Nations (@UN) December 6, 2017
Benjamin Netanyahu -Prime Minister of Israel welcomed the move and hailed Jerusalem as Jewish Capital from last 3000 years
This is a historic day. Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel for nearly 70 years. Jerusalem has been the focus of our hopes, our dreams, our prayers for three millennia. Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people for 3,000 years. Thank you, @realDonaldTrump! ???? pic.twitter.com/mWCUpUMpiC
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) December 6, 2017
Reuven Rivlin – President of Israel termed this as a beautiful gift to Israel from the United States
Thank you @POTUS @realDonaldTrump. There is no more fitting or beautiful gift, as we approach 70 years of the State of Israel’s independence. Jerusalem is not, and never will be, an obstacle to peace for those who want peace.
— Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) December 6, 2017
Emmanuel Macron – French President tweeted saying “On Jerusalem, the France disagrees with the decision of the United States. The France supports the solution of two States, Israel and Palestine, living in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of two States. We focus on appeasement and dialogue”
Sur Jérusalem, la France n'approuve pas la décision des États-Unis. La France soutient la solution de deux États, Israël et la Palestine, vivant en paix et en sécurité, avec Jérusalem comme capitale des deux États. Nous devons privilégier l’apaisement et le dialogue.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 6, 2017
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan – President of Turkey calls Islamic Summit next week to discuss US move on Jerusalem reports Quds News Network
"Jerusalem, Mr. Trump, is the red line for Muslims." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan adopts a tough stance on Trump's plans to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.#القدس_عاصمتنا #HandsOffJerusalem pic.twitter.com/OoAK735TWi
— Quds News Network | #GreatReturnMarch (@QudsNen) December 5, 2017
Pope Francis shown his concern over moving U.S embassy to Jerusalem reports Catholic News Services
#PopeFrancis concerned by reports of @realDonaldTrump decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate US embassy there from Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/hsNGeBL0vR
— Catholic News Service (@CatholicNewsSvc) December 6, 2017
Haider Al-Abadi – Prime Minister of Iraq termed this as a negative affect on Middle Eastern stability reports The Baghdad Post
"Iraq is opposed to the United States recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moving its embassy there", Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Tuesday, warning that such a decision would "negatively affect Middle East stability."
— The Baghdad Post (@TheBaghdadPostE) December 6, 2017
European Commission raised serious concern over this and tweeted it’s unchanged position on Jerusalem
Serious concern about today’s announcement by the US President Trump on Jerusalem & repercussions this may have on the prospect of peace.
The EU position remains unchanged. We will increase our work with parties & partners to negotiate status of Jerusalem as capital of 2 states
— European Commission ?? (@EU_Commission) December 6, 2017
Federica Mogherini – Vice President of the EU Commission tweeted EU will increase its work among EU partners to negotiate the status of Jerusalem
#EU will increase its work with parties & partners to negotiate the status of #Jerusalem as capital of two states https://t.co/3uzh98cXuO
— Federica Mogherini (@FedericaMog) December 6, 2017
Foreign Minister @sigmargabriel on decision of @POTUS Trump: Status of #Jerusalem should not be prejudged. It should be negotiated between Israelis and Palestinians. Our position remains. We support a two-state solution.
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) December 6, 2017
Swedish permanent mission to UN called for an emergency UNSC meeting along with Bolivia, Egypt, France, Italy, Senegal & UK on Jerusalem
Sweden together with Bolivia, Egypt, France, Italy, Senegal, UK & Uruguay have requested that a #UNSC emergency meeting on #Jerusalem takes place this week. pic.twitter.com/BcL4BKFdQl
— SwedenUN ?? (@SwedenUN) December 6, 2017
Bernie Sanders declared this move to a threat to Israeli-Palestinian Peace
There’s a reason why all past US administrations have not made this move, and why leaders around the world have warned Trump against it: It would undermine the prospects for an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement and severely, perhaps irreparably, damage our ability to broker it. https://t.co/dEF0bloRj2
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) December 5, 2017
Jeremy Corbyn- Leader of the Labour Party, United Kingdom termed this as a reckless threat to peace
Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, including occupied Palestinian territory, is a reckless threat to peace. The British Government must condemn this dangerous act and work for a just and viable settlement of the conflict.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) December 6, 2017
Beyond this virtual world all across the Middle East protest occurred after this announcement.
In Gaza, hundreds of Palestinian protesters burned American and Israeli flags and waved Palestinian flags and banners proclaiming Jerusalem as “our eternal capital” and calling recognition of it as Israel’s capital a “red line.” Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, called for more protests over the coming days.
In Beirut, a few hundred Palestinian refugees staged a protest in the narrow streets of the Bourj al-Barajneh camp, some of them chanting “Trump, you are mad.”
A protest also observed from media houses like The English-language Daily Star newspaper published a full-page photo of the Old City of Jerusalem capped by the Dome of the Rock beneath the headline: “No offence Mr President, Jerusalem is the capital of PALESTINE.”
This article is written by The Kootneeti Team, we are thankful for the twitter accounts of those it has been taken from.
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