Watch the video below
and read every word
of Trump's speech.
and read every word
of Trump's speech.
"Thank you.
When I came into office
I promised to look at the world's challenges
with open eyes and very fresh thinking.
We cannot solve our problems
by making the same failed assumptions
and repeating the same failed strategies
of the past.
All challenges demand new approaches.
My announcement today
marks the beginning of a new approach to conflict
between Israel and the Palestinians.
In 1995,
Congress adopted the Jerusalem Embassy Act
urging the Federal Government
to relocate the American Embassy to Jerusalem
and to recognize that that city
and so importantly,
is Israel's capital.
This act passed Congress
by an overwhelming bipartisan majority
and was reaffirmed by unanimous vote
of the Senate
only 6 months ago."
When I came into office
I promised to look at the world's challenges
with open eyes and very fresh thinking.
We cannot solve our problems
by making the same failed assumptions
and repeating the same failed strategies
of the past.
All challenges demand new approaches.
My announcement today
marks the beginning of a new approach to conflict
between Israel and the Palestinians.
In 1995,
Congress adopted the Jerusalem Embassy Act
urging the Federal Government
to relocate the American Embassy to Jerusalem
and to recognize that that city
and so importantly,
is Israel's capital.
This act passed Congress
by an overwhelming bipartisan majority
and was reaffirmed by unanimous vote
of the Senate
only 6 months ago."
"Yet for over 20 years
every previous American President
has exercised the laws' waiver
refusing to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem
or to recognize Jerusalem
as Israel's capital city.
Presidents issued these waivers
under the belief that
the land recognition of Jerusalem
would advance the cause of peace.
Some say they lack courage
but they made their best judgments
based on facts
as they understood them at the time.
Nevertheless,
the record is in.
After more than 2 decades of waivers,
we're no closer to a lasting peace agreement
between Israel and the Palestinians.
It would be folly to assume
that repeating the exact same formula
would now produce a different or better result."
every previous American President
has exercised the laws' waiver
refusing to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem
or to recognize Jerusalem
as Israel's capital city.
Presidents issued these waivers
under the belief that
the land recognition of Jerusalem
would advance the cause of peace.
Some say they lack courage
but they made their best judgments
based on facts
as they understood them at the time.
Nevertheless,
the record is in.
After more than 2 decades of waivers,
we're no closer to a lasting peace agreement
between Israel and the Palestinians.
It would be folly to assume
that repeating the exact same formula
would now produce a different or better result."
"Therefore I have determined
that it is time
to officially recognize Jerusalem
as the capital of Israel.
While previous Presidents
have made this a major campaign promise,
they failed to deliver.
Today,
I am delivering.
I've judged this course of action
to be in the best interest
of the United States Of America
and the pursuit of peace
between Israel and the Palestinians.
This is a long overdue step
to advance the peace process
and to work towards a lasting agreement.
Israel is a sovereign nation
with the right like
every other sovereign nation
to determine its own capital.
Acknowledging this is a fact
is a necessary condition
for achieving peace.
It was 70 years ago
that the United States
under President Truman
recognized the state of Israel."
that it is time
to officially recognize Jerusalem
as the capital of Israel.
While previous Presidents
have made this a major campaign promise,
they failed to deliver.
Today,
I am delivering.
I've judged this course of action
to be in the best interest
of the United States Of America
and the pursuit of peace
between Israel and the Palestinians.
This is a long overdue step
to advance the peace process
and to work towards a lasting agreement.
Israel is a sovereign nation
with the right like
every other sovereign nation
to determine its own capital.
Acknowledging this is a fact
is a necessary condition
for achieving peace.
It was 70 years ago
that the United States
under President Truman
recognized the state of Israel."
"Ever since then
Israel has made its capital
in the city of Jerusalem,
the capital the Jewish people
established in ancient times.
Today,
Jerusalem is the seat
of the modern Israeli government.
It is the home of the Israeli Parliament,
the Knesset,
as well as
the Israeli Supreme Court.
It is the location of
the official residence of
the Prime Minister and the President.
It is the headquarters
of many government ministries.
For decades,
visiting American Presidents
Secretaries of State,
and military leaders have met
their Israeli counterparts in Jerusalem
as I did on my trip to Israel
earlier this year.
Jerusalem is not just the heart
of three great religions
but it is now also the heart
of one of the most successful
democracies in the world."
Israel has made its capital
in the city of Jerusalem,
the capital the Jewish people
established in ancient times.
Today,
Jerusalem is the seat
of the modern Israeli government.
It is the home of the Israeli Parliament,
the Knesset,
as well as
the Israeli Supreme Court.
It is the location of
the official residence of
the Prime Minister and the President.
It is the headquarters
of many government ministries.
For decades,
visiting American Presidents
Secretaries of State,
and military leaders have met
their Israeli counterparts in Jerusalem
as I did on my trip to Israel
earlier this year.
Jerusalem is not just the heart
of three great religions
but it is now also the heart
of one of the most successful
democracies in the world."
"Over the past 7 decades,
the Israeli people have built a country
where Jews, Muslims and Christians
and people of all faiths
are free to live and worship
according to their conscience
and according to their beliefs.
Jerusalem is today and must remain
a place where Jews pray
at the Western Wall,
where Christians walk
the Stations Of The Cross
and where Muslims worship at Al Aqsa Mosque.
However,
through all of these years,
Presidents representing the United States
have declined to officially recognize Jerusalem
as Israel's capital.
In fact,
we have declined to acknowledge
any Israeli capital at all.
But today we finally acknowledge the obvious
that Jerusalem is Israel's capital.
This is nothing more or less
than a recognition of reality.
It would also the right thing to do,
it's something that has to be done."
the Israeli people have built a country
where Jews, Muslims and Christians
and people of all faiths
are free to live and worship
according to their conscience
and according to their beliefs.
Jerusalem is today and must remain
a place where Jews pray
at the Western Wall,
where Christians walk
the Stations Of The Cross
and where Muslims worship at Al Aqsa Mosque.
However,
through all of these years,
Presidents representing the United States
have declined to officially recognize Jerusalem
as Israel's capital.
In fact,
we have declined to acknowledge
any Israeli capital at all.
But today we finally acknowledge the obvious
that Jerusalem is Israel's capital.
This is nothing more or less
than a recognition of reality.
It would also the right thing to do,
it's something that has to be done."
"That is why
consistent with the Jerusalem Embassy Act
I am also directing the State Department
to begin preparation
to move the American Embassy
from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
This will immediately begin the process
of hiring architects, engineers and planners
so that a new Embassy,
when completed,
will be a magnificent tribute to peace.
In making these announcements,
I also wanna make one point very clear:
this decision is not intended in any way
to reflect a departure
from our strong commitment
to facilitate a lasting peace agreement.
We want an agreement
that is a great deal for the Israelis
and a great deal for the Palestinians.
we are not taking a position
of any final status issues
including the specific boundaries
of the Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem
or the resolution of contested borders.
Those questions are up
to the parties involved.
The United States remains deeply committed
to helping facilitate a peace agreement
that is acceptable to both sides."
consistent with the Jerusalem Embassy Act
I am also directing the State Department
to begin preparation
to move the American Embassy
from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
This will immediately begin the process
of hiring architects, engineers and planners
so that a new Embassy,
when completed,
will be a magnificent tribute to peace.
In making these announcements,
I also wanna make one point very clear:
this decision is not intended in any way
to reflect a departure
from our strong commitment
to facilitate a lasting peace agreement.
We want an agreement
that is a great deal for the Israelis
and a great deal for the Palestinians.
we are not taking a position
of any final status issues
including the specific boundaries
of the Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem
or the resolution of contested borders.
Those questions are up
to the parties involved.
The United States remains deeply committed
to helping facilitate a peace agreement
that is acceptable to both sides."
"I intend to do everything in my power
to help forge such an agreement.
Without question,
Jerusalem is one of the most sensitive issues
in those talks.
The United States would support
a true state solution if agreed to
by both sides.
In the meantime,
I call on all parties
to maintain the status quo
at Jerusalem's Holy Sites
including The Temple Mount
also known as Haram al-Sharif.
Above all,
our greatest hope is for peace,
the universal yearning
in every human soul.
With today's action
I reaffirm my administration's
long standing commitment
to a future of peace and security
for the region.
There will of course be
disagreement and dissent
regarding this announcement."
to help forge such an agreement.
Without question,
Jerusalem is one of the most sensitive issues
in those talks.
The United States would support
a true state solution if agreed to
by both sides.
In the meantime,
I call on all parties
to maintain the status quo
at Jerusalem's Holy Sites
including The Temple Mount
also known as Haram al-Sharif.
Above all,
our greatest hope is for peace,
the universal yearning
in every human soul.
With today's action
I reaffirm my administration's
long standing commitment
to a future of peace and security
for the region.
There will of course be
disagreement and dissent
regarding this announcement."
"But we are confident that ultimately
as we work through these disagreements
we will arrive at a peace
and a place far greater
in understanding and cooperation.
This sacred city should call forth
the best in humanity,
lifting our sites to one of those possible
not pulling us back and down
to the old fights that have become
so totally predictable.
Peace is never beyond the grasp
of those willing to reach.
So today we call for calm,
for moderation
and for the voices of tolerance
to prevail over their perveyors of hate.
Our children should inherit our love
not our conflicts.
I repeat,
the message I delivered
at the historic and extraordinary summit
in Saudi Arabia earlier this year:
The Middle East
is a region rich with culture,
spirit and history.
Its people are brilliant,
proud and diverse, vibrant and strong.
But the incredible future
awaiting this region
is held at bay by bloodshed,
ignorance and terror."
as we work through these disagreements
we will arrive at a peace
and a place far greater
in understanding and cooperation.
This sacred city should call forth
the best in humanity,
lifting our sites to one of those possible
not pulling us back and down
to the old fights that have become
so totally predictable.
Peace is never beyond the grasp
of those willing to reach.
So today we call for calm,
for moderation
and for the voices of tolerance
to prevail over their perveyors of hate.
Our children should inherit our love
not our conflicts.
I repeat,
the message I delivered
at the historic and extraordinary summit
in Saudi Arabia earlier this year:
The Middle East
is a region rich with culture,
spirit and history.
Its people are brilliant,
proud and diverse, vibrant and strong.
But the incredible future
awaiting this region
is held at bay by bloodshed,
ignorance and terror."
"Vice President Pence
will travel to the region
in the coming days
to reaffirm our commitment
to work with partners
throughout the Middle East
to defeat radicalism
that threatens the hopes and dreams
of future generations.
It is time for the many
who desired peace
to expel the extremists
from their myths.
It is time for all civilized nations
and people
to respond to disagreement
with regent debate not violence.
And it is time for young
and modern voices all across the Middle East
to claim for themselves
a bright and beautiful future.
So today
let us rededicate ourselves
to a path of mutual understanding and respect."
will travel to the region
in the coming days
to reaffirm our commitment
to work with partners
throughout the Middle East
to defeat radicalism
that threatens the hopes and dreams
of future generations.
It is time for the many
who desired peace
to expel the extremists
from their myths.
It is time for all civilized nations
and people
to respond to disagreement
with regent debate not violence.
And it is time for young
and modern voices all across the Middle East
to claim for themselves
a bright and beautiful future.
So today
let us rededicate ourselves
to a path of mutual understanding and respect."
"Let us rethink all the assumptions
and open up our hearts and minds
to possible and possibilities.
And finally,
I ask the leaders of the region,
political or religious,
Israeli and Palestinian,
Jewish and Christian and Muslim
to join us in the novel quest
for lasting peace.
Thank you,
God bless you,
God bless Israel,
God bless the Palestinians
and God bless the United States.
Thank you very much,
thank you."
and open up our hearts and minds
to possible and possibilities.
And finally,
I ask the leaders of the region,
political or religious,
Israeli and Palestinian,
Jewish and Christian and Muslim
to join us in the novel quest
for lasting peace.
Thank you,
God bless you,
God bless Israel,
God bless the Palestinians
and God bless the United States.
Thank you very much,
thank you."
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