United States President Donald Trump has overturned decades of official US policy by declaring Jerusalem as Israel’s capital city. “I am determined that it is time to officially recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” said Trump in a press conference as Vice President Michael Pence stood behind him. “While previous President have made this a major campaign promise, they failed to deliver. Today, I am delivering. I have judged this course of action to be in the best interests of the United States of America and the pursuit of peace between Israel and the Palestinians,” continued President Trump. “We want an agreement that is a great deal for the Israelis and a great deal for the Palestinians. We are not taking a position of any final status issues, including the specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem or the resolution of contested borders.” Worldwide condemnation The recognition by Trump makes the United States the first country in the world to officially recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The recognition has been met with widespread condemnation. Palestine’s President Mahmoud Abbas said that the decision is “deplorable and unacceptable and undermines all…
