US President Donald Trump described the decision on Jerusalem as a decision that should have been taken "a long time ago". At 20.00 Cyprus time, Trump delivered the historic sermon where he announced the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. He also ordered the relocation of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Statements by Donald Trump
"We can not solve problems with failed practices
My own is a new approach to peace in Israel.
For more than 20 years, every previous US President has refused to move the Embassy or recognize Jerusalem. Some say they lacked courage.
After 20 years we are not close to peace. By the same token we will not reach peace.
It is time to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. It is the home of the Israeli Supreme Court and the Israeli Parliament.
Jerusalem is not only the heart of three great religions but the center of a prosperous country.
For so many years, US Presidents have refused to recognize any Israeli country. Today we do, it is a simple recognition of reality.
I order the relocation of the Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The United States remains committed to finding a peace agreement. We support a two-state solution. I call on all states to maintain the status quo.
With today's act, I reaffirm my commitment to peace and security in the region.
Michael Pence will go to Jerusalem in the coming days to confirm that there will be security and peace.
I call on the leaders of the region if they follow us on the path of peace ".
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According to Reuters, the President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, after the statements of the American President, will also proceed with a televised speech.
Turkey condemns
In a post, Foreign Minister Melvut Tsavousoglu condemned the recognition of Jerusalem by Donald Trump.
"We condemn the irresponsible statement by the US administration that recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and that it will relocate the US Embassy there. This decision is against the international law and treaties of the United Nations. "
Γ.Γ. UN: There is no alternative other than a two-state solution
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said today that there was no alternative to a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, stressing that the issue of Jerusalem and its final status should be resolved through immediate negotiations.
"I have consistently spoken out against unilateral measures that would jeopardize the prospect of peace for Israelis and Palestinians," Guterres said after US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
"In this moment of great concern, I want to make it clear: there is no alternative but a two-state solution. "There is no Plan B. I will do everything in my power to encourage Israeli and Palestinian leaders to return to negotiations," he told reporters.
Moreover, the President of France, Emanuel Macron, considered that the unilateral decision of his American counterpart on Jerusalem is "sad" and stressed that Paris does not support it.
As Macron pointed out, the status of Jerusalem must be determined by the Israelis and Palestinians through negotiation.
The French President appealed to all sides to calm down and avoid violence.
Egypt rejects the decision
Egypt has rejected a US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem, the State Department said in a statement following a speech by Donald Trump.
The State Department has issued a statement urging US officials not to travel unnecessarily to Israel, Jerusalem and the West Bank.
The British Prime Minister Theresa May is also expected to speak, saying that the ancient city should ultimately be shared by Israel and a future Palestinian state, and that there should be a sovereign and viable Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution. The British woman will speak by phone with Donald Trump.
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Earlier in the day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed "strong" relations between his country and the United States. Without mentioning Donald Trump's plans to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, he spoke of an "irreplaceable alliance."
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"The decision is tantamount to a declaration of war," said the Palestinian leader, while international reactions were chained. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has been on the phone for the past few hours, talking to the leaders of Iran, Tunisia and Malaysia about Trump's intention, saying that the US move will "disrupt the peace process in the Middle East." .