In the wake of President Trump’s announcement that the US recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Foreign Minister Gabriel has reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to the two-state solution.
“Even in good times” the status of Jerusalem had not been up for debate, said Gabriel, because it was a question to be decided “between the Palestinians and Israelis right at the end.” The fact that the US has now taken a unilateral stance on this sensitive issue, continued the Minister, risked pouring oil on the flames.
“President Trump announced on Wednesday evening (6 December, 2017) that the US would officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and start the process of moving its Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.” Gabriel stressed that Germany was not going to move its Embassy: “We stand by the two-state solution and believe that the question of Jerusalem’s status must be clarified between the parties to the conflict right at the end of the process.”
Read more on the Federal Foreign Office website.