DHAKA: US President Donald Trump announced that the US now recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, reports BBC.

Trump described the move as "a long overdue step" to advance the Middle East peace process, overturning decades of official US policy

The fate of the ancient city is one of the thorniest issues between Israel and the Palestinians.

Israel called Trump's move "historic" but there has been sharp international criticism.
Trump said the US still supported a two-state solution to the longstanding conflict, if approved by both sides, which would essentially see the creation of an independent Palestinian state living alongside Israel.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called Trump's announcement "deplorable", saying the US could no longer be a peace broker.

Eight of the 15 nations who are currently members of the United Nations Security Council have called for the body to hold an urgent meeting on the US decision by the end of the week.

The decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital puts the US at odds with the rest of the international community's view on Jerusalem's status.

The Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state, and according to the 1993 Israel-Palestinian peace accords, its final status is meant to be discussed in the latter stages of peace talks.

Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem has never been recognized internationally, and until now all countries have maintained their embassies in Tel Aviv.

Jerusalem contains sites sacred to the three major monotheistic faiths - Judaism, Islam and Christianity. East Jerusalem, which includes the Old City, was annexed by Israel after the Six Day War of 1967, but is not internationally recognized as part of Israel.

BDST: 1130 HRS, DEC 7, 2017
SI