12-06-2017, 02:27 PM
Israel occupied East Jerusalem, previously occupied by Jordan, in the 1967 Middle East war and regards the entire city as its indivisible capital.
The Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state, and according to 1993 Israel-Palestinian peace accords, its final status is meant to be discussed in the latter stages of peace talks.
Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem has never been recognized internationally, and until now all countries have maintained their embassies in Tel Aviv.
Today, President Trump formally recognized Jerusalem the capital of Israel, though a peaceful resolution between the Israelis and Palestinians is not near.
He has also announced his intention to start the process of moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
![[Image: _99075457_mediaitem99074618.jpg]](https://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/126C1/production/_99075457_mediaitem99074618.jpg)
^ Protests have already begun. The two decisions - which would fulfill a campaign promise and appeal to Trump's right-wing base (particularly the evangelicals) - risk a heated reaction from US allies in the Muslim world and potentially unrest.
They also make it difficult for the US to be seen as a neutral mediator in the Middle East peace process.
In his speech this morning, Trump said that the US would still support a two-state solution if both sides agreed and he called for peace. He also said the US is not attempting to determine the final boundaries of Jerusalem.
Full story and reaction from world leaders: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42250399
The Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state, and according to 1993 Israel-Palestinian peace accords, its final status is meant to be discussed in the latter stages of peace talks.
Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem has never been recognized internationally, and until now all countries have maintained their embassies in Tel Aviv.
Today, President Trump formally recognized Jerusalem the capital of Israel, though a peaceful resolution between the Israelis and Palestinians is not near.
He has also announced his intention to start the process of moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
^ Protests have already begun. The two decisions - which would fulfill a campaign promise and appeal to Trump's right-wing base (particularly the evangelicals) - risk a heated reaction from US allies in the Muslim world and potentially unrest.
They also make it difficult for the US to be seen as a neutral mediator in the Middle East peace process.
In his speech this morning, Trump said that the US would still support a two-state solution if both sides agreed and he called for peace. He also said the US is not attempting to determine the final boundaries of Jerusalem.
Full story and reaction from world leaders: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42250399