Capitalquestion

US President Donald Trump has been virulently criticised over his decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, but the fact is Jerusalem has been Israel’s official capital since 1950. It’s the seat of the nation’s Knesset and supreme court and the site of most government ministries.

Of course, it’s not only the ancient spiritual centre of Judaism but a holy city for members of other religious faiths. However, unlike other nations and failed states in the region, Israel has continuously protected the holy sites of all religions.

When in 1967 Jordan attacked Israel and bombarded Jerusalem, it forfeited control of the east end of the city and Israel’s status there is entirely legitimate under the accepted international law of armed conflict.

In spite of increased Islamist terror threats, acknowledging that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital city and locating its embassy there is the sovereign prerogative of the US. Europe also needs to accept that the peace process has been stalled for decades. (REV DR) JOHN CAMERON

Howard Place, St Andrews Moses died somewhere in the desert, a long way from either Palestine or Jerusalem. This particular spot must logically be taken as “The Promised Land” to which he said he would lead the Hebrews. Otherwise he would have been lying – or worse, inciting the Hebrews to attack and steal the Palestinian lands – something which would have made him the perfect hypocrite.

Unfortunately this would have also made him an inspiration to generations of succeeding politicians.

So it would be nice if someone could remind Donald Trump to read his Bible, especially the parts where it says in the Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt not steal.” Jerusalem, of course, never belonged to the United States, neither did any of Eastern Europe, which Franklin D. Roosevelt gave to Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union in May, 1942.

If Mr Trump wants to make America great again he could start by apologising for his recent mistake over Jerusalem, give back the native Americans control over their own lands and provide compensation to the hundreds of thousands of Polish families who had their lands stolen during the three thieving conferences of Tehran 1943, Yalta and Potsdam 1945.

HENRYK BELDA Kirkton Bank, Penicuik