US says Jerusalem decision reflection of ground realities
(Eds: Repeating after minor edits)By Lalit K JhaWashington, Dec 8 (PTI) Facing global isolation forrecognising Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, the White Housetoday defended President Donald Trump's decision, assertingthat it was a reflection of the ground realities and the USwas committed to the Middle East peace process.
Trump in a major policy address had on Wednesdayannounced to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Thedecision was immediately welcomed by Israel, but has resultedin an outrage in the Middle East and opposition from manypartners and allies of the US.
"In the President's remarks, he said that we are ascommitted to the peace process as ever, and we want tocontinue to push forward in those conversations and thosediscussions.
"And hopefully the ultimate goal, of all those parties isto reach a peace a deal. That's something that the UnitedStates is very much committed," White House Press SecretarySarah Sanders told reporters.
When asked whether any other country is planning tofollow the US in this regard, Sanders said, "I'm not aware ofany country's commitment to follow suit on this.""I'm not aware of any countries that we anticipate thathappening at any point soon. I'm not saying that they aren't,but I'm not aware of them," she said.
At a separate briefing, Acting Assistant Secretary ofState for Near Eastern Affairs David M Satterfield reiteratedPresident Trump's landmark announcement recognising Jerusalemas the capital of Israel.
"We recognise Jerusalem as the capital of the state ofIsrael. We are not changing or taking a position on theboundaries of sovereignty in Jerusalem, including geographicboundaries. And I will not elaborate beyond that," he said.
The US, he said, regards issues like boundaries ofsovereignty, borders as a matter for permanent status or finalstatus negotiations to be resolved by the parties concerned.
"There has been no change in our policy with respect toconsular practice or passport issuance at this time. Withrespect to maps, we are, of course, examining that issue, andwhen we have a decision we will announce it with respect tohow we will treat Jerusalem for official USG-produced mappingpurposes," Satterfield said.
House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Ed Roycewelcomed the administration's decision to recognise Israel'sself-identified capital.
"Sovereign nations have a right to determine their seatof government, and our close ally Israel should not be treateddifferently. Relocating the US Embassy should be donecarefully, and in a way that advances our national securityinterests in a dangerous and unstable region," he said.
Senator David Perdue commended Trump for taking"continued steps to reaffirm" the United States' relationshipwith Israel after years of "questionable policies" of theObama administration.
"By recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, thePresident is recognising both an historic and modern reality,Jerusalem is the center for the Jewish people and all parts ofIsraeli government reside there today.
"President Trump has shown that Israel is a priority,and we will continue to work together in support of ourlongtime friend and ally," he said.
The American-Israel Public Affairs Committee termed thedecision as "historic".
"For the first time, the United States officiallyrecognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Thisrecognition is a long-overdue step to implement the US law...
"Today's action by President Trump is an important,historic step for which we are grateful," it said.
The Anti-Defamation League welcomed Trump's announcementthat the United States – almost 70 years after the founding ofthe state of Israel – will begin the process to relocate itsembassy consistent with the longstanding bipartisan consensusas enshrined in the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995.
The New York Daily News editorial board said Trump's"acknowledgement of reality" by formally recognising Jerusalemas Israeli capital was welcome.
"It undoes 70 years of American fiction that this is acity without a country, part of some mythical internationalterritory, neither Jewish nor ArabÂ… Finally recognising thatJerusalem is the capital of Israel states a fact that anti-Israel forces need to get through their heads sooner or later:The Jewish State isn't going anywhere. Deal with it," thedaily said. PTI LKJ AQS AMS AKJAMS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.