Donald Trump’s ‘kiss of death’ to peace

Washington: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that the America will formally recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. “That city is Israel’s capital,” Mr Trump said in remarks at the White House. “It is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”

The US is the first country to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital since the foundation of the state in 1948.  He also announced plans to build a new American embassy in Jerusalem.

The move, which is being opposed by countries in the Middle East and is likely to lead to dangerous reverberations in the region, even provoked the Pope to express concern.

Pope Francis, speaking hours before Mr Trump’s announcement, called for the city’s “status quo” to be respected, saying new tension in the Middle East would further inflame world conflicts.

The Palestinians’ UK representative, Manuel Hassassian, said the move is a “kiss of death” to the two-state peace solution.