The news Wednesday of President Donald Trump declaring that the United States will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has led some to rejoice and others to condemn the decision.
The recognition means Jerusalem will become the site of the U.S. embassy in the near future, moving from its current location in Tel Aviv.
Those opposing the decision say Trump’s announcement will lead to calamity in the area for the countries that side with the rest of the Arab world.
A senior Palestinian official said Wednesday that the decision means “the peace process is finished” because Washington “has already pre-empted the outcome,” The Associated Press reported.
Others like Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu have graciously thanked Trump, adding the “Jewish people and the Jewish state will be forever grateful.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan also applauded the president’s call to recognize Jerusalem.
Leaders from France and the UK denounced the decision.
Echoing the president of Palestine’s sentiment that naming Jerusalem capital will break ‘peace’ in the region, Saeb Erakat, Israel’s capital, chief Palestinian negotiator, called Trump’s resolution the “biggest mistake of his life.”
Thousands of Twitter users also chimed in Wednesday with a mixture of disdain and praise.
