U.S. Embassy Moving to Jerusalem – Finally!

Robin Rowan 1/29/2018

It takes courage for a President to put into action a long standing policy, requested by the American people, passed by Congress over 20 years before, but that every President before him has delayed every six months for over 20 years with a waiver.

President Trump decided it was time for action. No more waivers, no more delay. Action.

In an historic speech before the Israel parliament, the Knesset, United States Vice President Mike Pence was interrupted by applause time and time again as he laid out the Biblical foundation and historical proof of Israel’s connection to the land and Jerusalem as her capitol.

V.P. Pence announced that the U.S. Embassy will be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem before the end of 2019.

“Seventy years ago, the United States was proud to be the first nation in the world to recognize the State of Israel. But as you well know, the work we began on that day was left unfinished, for while the United States recognized your nation, one administration after another refused to recognize your capital.

But just last month, President Donald Trump made history. He righted a 70-year wrong; he kept his word to the American people when he announced that the United States of America will finally acknowledge Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. 

The Jewish people’s unbreakable bond to this sacred city reaches back more than 3,000 years. It was here, in Jerusalem, on Mount Moriah, that Abraham offered his son, Isaac, and was credited with righteousness for his faith in God.

It was here, in Jerusalem, that King David consecrated the capital of the Kingdom of Israel. And since its rebirth, the modern State of Israel has called this city the seat of its government.

Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. And, as such, President Trump has directed the State Department to immediately begin preparations to move the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. In the weeks ahead, our administration will advance its plan to open the United States Embassy in Jerusalem, and that United States Embassy will open before the end of next year.”

The entire text of the Vice President’s speech can be read here.

President Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announced his intention to move the U.S. Embassy on December 6, 2017.

As reported by The Hill, in an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said President Trump ‘did a great service for peace,’ with the announcement.

“He did a great service for peace because peace can only be based on truth, on reality. And denying the simple fact that Israel’s capital is Jerusalem is — pushes peace backward by creating an illusion, a fantasy. You can’t build peace on fantasy.”

“The seat of government is in Jerusalem. This has been the case for the 70 years of Israel’s existence that we’re celebrating now. Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people since the time of King David. That’s only 3,000 years ago.” 

Upon President Trump’s announcement on December 6th,  Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Twitter that “is a big injustice/cruelty, short-sightedness, foolishness/madness, it is plunging the region and the world into a fire with no end in sight.”

The anticipated violent reaction across the Middle East failed to materialize. Protests were called throughout the Palestinian areas, but when bad weather moved in, their passions and protests stayed small in number. In fact, several nations are joining the United States in this long overdue recognition; Guatemala being the first of many to join in recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving their Embassy.

Where will the Embassy be?

There is  already an American consulate west of the Old City that could be transformed into full Embassy services until a new building is constructed. Currently this U.S.State Department Consulate General in Jerusalem states it’s strategic objective is the building of the Palestinian economy in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) and assisting in building and humanitarian programs in Gaza.

“Since the signing of the Oslo Accords, the Consulate General has served as the de facto representative of the United States government to the Palestinian Authority. In tandem with our efforts to shepherd a conflict-ending Israeli-Palestinian settlement, we help the Palestinian Authority build sustainable institutions. Our tools include a significant foreign assistance program..”

The Consulate General in Jerusalem has not done enough to stop the growth of terrorism coming from the Palestinian Authority or been effective in assisting the people of the Gaza. How many more American dollars will be spent supporting terrorism? Under the leadership of President Trump, not only is the funding of Palestinian terrorism being called out on the world stage, but the American funding is being stopped.

It would be appropriate that this Consulate diplomatic mission be reorganized and the building put to good use servicing Israel, in Jerusalem, the historical capital of the Jewish State.