Israel president: “Jerusalem is not, and never will be, an obstacle to peace”
December 6, 2017: Israeli President Reuven Rivlin hailed President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as a “fitting” and “beautiful gift.”
In a statement released moments after Trump’s announcement, Rivlin said, “Jerusalem is not, and never will be, an obstacle to peace for those who want peace. As it is written, ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may all that love her prosper, may there be peace in her quarters and palaces.'”
Jerusalem has many faces — it is a holy city and a modern city, which allows freedom of religion for all faiths. A city of history and of innovation, a microcosm of all our abilities to live together, he said.
In a statement, Netanyahu calls on all countries that “seek peace to join the United States in recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to move their embassies here.”
“The President’s decision is an important step towards peace, for there is no peace that doesn’t include Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel. I share President Trump’s commitment to advancing peace between Israel and all of our neighbors, including the Palestinians. And we will continue to work with the President and his team to make that dream of peace come true,” Netanyahu said.
From CNN’s Oren Liebermann