Jerusalem decision to move ball forward for peace process: US
World | December 10, 2017 22:25 ISTJerusalem, the eastern part of which was annexed from Jordan by Israel in 1967, has long been a sticking point in peace negotiations in the region.
Jerusalem, the eastern part of which was annexed from Jordan by Israel in 1967, has long been a sticking point in peace negotiations in the region.
Soldiers from the Givati brigade in Hebron had been deployed in the area near Hebron's market to deal with any disturbances following President Donald Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital.
Arab foreign minister calling it a "grave" development that puts Washington on the same side as "occupation" and the violation of international law.
At a special meeting, UN special envoy to the Middle East, Nickolay Mladenov, warned of the "potential risk of violent escalation" that exists following that decision and asked that all parties choose dialogue and avoid provocations.
United States' decision to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem has left India in diplomatic lurch. A long-standing Palestinian cause supporter, India has distance itself from US on the matter. But is it enough?
Even major US allies came out against the reversal of US policy on Jerusalem.
Donald Trump also ordered government to begin preparations to move US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Any recognition of Israel’s control over the city will be welcomed by Israel, a close American ally, and be popular with pro-Israel evangelical Christian voters who make up a key part of Trump’s base.
Israel said that Donald Trump has to go beyond the paperwork stage and not be intimidated by Arab threats of violence.
The officials say recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital will be an acknowledgement of "historical and current reality" rather than a political statement.
The officials, who weren’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the outlines of Trump’s plan emerged from a meeting of his top national security advisers at the White House on Monday.
Tunnels stretching more than a kilometer (half mile) in length beneath Jerusalem’s main cemetery have been carefully excavated over the past two years to make room for some 22,000 graves — enough space to meet the city’s needs for the next decade.
Palestinian attacker Nimr Jamal opened fire early on Tuesday at the entrance to a settlement outside Jerusalem and killed 3 Israeli men and critically wounded a fourth.
Wednesday’s prayers came a day after Israel seemingly capitulated to the demands of protesters.
Tensions rose after two Israeli policemen were killed on July 14 at the site known to Jews as the Temple Mount and Muslims as Haram al-Sharif.
On Friday, about 800 Palestinians gathered for noon prayers, the highlight of the Muslim religious week, at the Old City’s Lion’s Gate, one of the flashpoints of violence.
The minister said that the residents of the settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank would be able to vote in Jerusalem municipal elections but the settlements would not be under full Israeli sovereignty.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today made an impromptu visit to the grave of Theodor Herzl, who is considered as the founding father of Zionism, at the suggestion of his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.
US Vice President Mike Pence today said that President Trump is seriously considering moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
Palestinian envoy to Russia Abdel Hafiz Nofal has warned that any attempt by the United States to shift its embassy to Jerusalem will seriously complicate the situation in the region and may result in a “holy war”.
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