Recognizing Reality
U.S. Embassy opens today in Jerusalem
The world’s eyes will be on Israel today as the U.S. formally formally recognizes Jerusalem as that nation’s capital by moving the embassy there from Tel Aviv—a move that has angered many in the Arab community.
Both the Israelis and the Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their historic capitals. And for Israel the sacred city has been it’s seat of government since 1950 when most branches save for the Ministry of Defense moved there from Tel Aviv.
Jerusalem was still a city divided with Jordan then. In 1980 Israel declared Jerusalem it’s “complete and united” capital. That did not sit well with the United Nations and many other nations, which continued to regard Tel Aviv as the “official” capital in deference to the Palestinians and neighboring Arab countries.
The U.S. had maintained its embassy in Tel Aviv, but in 1995 Congress showed support for Israel by passing the Jerusalem Embassy Act. But nothing much was done until December of last year when President Donald Trump fulfilled a campaign promise by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital and preparing for a new U.S. embassy located there.
And today that will happen. And the date is fitting. May 14 is the 70th anniversary of modern Israel’s founding and the U.S. recognition of the State of Israel.
President Trump was harshly criticized by the U.N. for his actions. In our view it was simply a recognition of reality. Israel is an independent nation not subject to the wishes of its neighbors and Jerusalem is the de facto capital. It only makes sense to say so.
Still, emotions will run high today—even more so than usual. That means there will be more than the usual abundance of security in Jerusalem, especially considering the president’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other U.S. dignitaries will be in attendance.
President Trump took a bold step forward into reality—one his predecessors have been disinclined to do. It recognizes reality but does come with risks. But the right thing usually does.