Jerusalem: Trump just implemented Congress's decision, say Tillerson
Reacting to the wide criticism of the US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, especially from the Muslim world, the Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, has said that the decision aligned the US presence with the reality that Jerusalem was home to Israel's executive, judiciary and legislature.
By : migrator
Update: 2017-12-07 03:58 GMT
Washington
In a press statement here on Wednesday, Tillerson said: "President Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital aligns US presence with the reality that Jerusalem is home to Israel's legislature, Supreme Court, President's office, and Prime Minister's office."
The Secretary of State pointed out that they have consulted with many friends, partners, and allies in advance of the President making his decision. "We firmly believe there is an opportunity for a lasting peace," he said.
"As the President said in his remarks today that peace was never beyond the grasp of those willing to reach it," the statement said.
Tillerson clarified that the President decided on Wednesday, as the Congress had first urged in the Jerusalem Embassy Act in 1995, and has reaffirmed regularly since, to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
"The State Department will immediately begin the process to implement this decision by starting the preparations to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem," Tillerson stated.
At the same time, he acknowledged that the safety of Americans was the State Department's highest priority, and in concert with other federal agencies, "we've implemented robust security plans to protect the safety of Americans in affected regions," the Secretary of State concluded.
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