US President Donald Trump has decided: he will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and will instruct the State Department to start the process for the transfer of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The operation will take time and the official announcement itself, leaked via sources cited by the New York Times and CNN, is not clear whether it will arrive today December 6 or in the next few days after the pressure on the White House from allies, European chancelleries and Arab countries. The decision, included in the electoral program of The Donald, immediately aroused the harsh reaction of the Palestinians who threaten a new Intifada.
However, the US embassy in Israel will not be moved to Jerusalem for six months. This was reported by sources of the US administration, underlining how Donald Trump will sign an extension that will leave the diplomatic representation in Tel Aviv for at least another six months.
Donald Trump on Tuesday informed both Palestinian President Abu Mazen and the Israeli government of his decision. According to the local newspaper Wafa Abu Mazen he warned Trump "of the dangers of such a decision on the peace process, on security and stability in the region and in the world". The first impact of the rumors was seen on the Tokyo Stock Exchange where the Nikkei index lost almost 2% in closing due to the concern linked to the imminent announcement by US President Donald Trump on Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. The Nikkei index fell 1,97%, or 445,34 points, to 22.177,04, while the Topix index lost 1,43%, or 25,55 points, to 1.765,42.
The reactions to President Trump's intentions have been very lively all over the world and concern is growing, from China to London as the Arab countries unite and the Pope launches an appeal for things to remain as they are so as not to jeopardize the peace process.
The Palestinians announced “3 days of rage” from Wednesday to Friday in protest against Donald Trump's will to transfer the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. All Palestinian factions have condemned Trump calling his policy "blackmail". "We call on all our people in Israel and in the world - they said - to gather in city centers and in front of Israeli embassies and consulates with the aim of arousing general popular anger".
Papa Francesco and Palestinian President Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) spoke on the phone on the issue relating to the announced move of the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This was confirmed to ANSA by the spokesman of the Holy See, Greg Burke, specifying that the conversation took place "on Abbas's initiative".
“My thoughts now turn to Jerusalem. In this regard, I cannot silence my deep concern for the situation that has arisen in recent days and, at the same time, make a heartfelt appeal for everyone to be committed to respecting the status quo of the city, in accordance with the relevant Resolutions of the United", the Pope then said in the general audience, inviting us to "wisdom and prudence, to avoid adding new elements of tension to an already convulsive world landscape marked by so many cruel conflicts".
Abu Mazen previously telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin informing him "of threats to the city of Jerusalem". Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who on Tuesday defined Jerusalem as a "red line" and raised the possibility of a rupture of relations with Israel, will see re Abdullah II of Jordan in Turkey, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ankara and Amman. Obviously, the Jerusalem issue is also on the agenda.
The UN Special Envoy for the Middle East Nickolay Mlandenov, reiterated that the future status of Jerusalem must be subject to negotiations. China was also exposed, "concerned" about the possible worsening of "an already complicated and delicate situation".
In London, the government says it is "concerned". The British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, arriving at a NATO meeting in Brussels, specified: "We think that Jerusalem should really be part of a definitive solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, a negotiated solution".
Finally, the Israeli defense system is preparing for a "possible violent” riot Palestinian in Israel, mainly in Jerusalem. The Israeli police, the Shin Bet and the central command of the army - the Israeli media report - have held numerous meetings to this effect in recent days.
