(VIDEOS AND PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Following are some of the responses to the declaration made by US President Donald Trump, recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

President Reuven Rivlin:

There is no more fitting or beautiful gift, as we approach 70 years of the State of Israel’s independence.

Jerusalem is not, and never will be, an obstacle to peace for those who want peace.

“I congratulate President Donald Trump on his announcement of US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and on the expected move of the American Embassy to Jerusalem. There is no more fitting or beautiful gift, as we approach 70 years of the State of Israel’s independence.

After the jubilee – fifty years after the reunification of the city – the time has come to bring tranquility to Jerusalem, and to see hope blossom in the capital of Israel, the place where pilgrims come from around the world. For thousands of years the Jewish people have looked up to Jerusalem, and prayed, and dreamed of the city.

The recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and the relocation of all embassies to the city, is a landmark in the recognition of the right of the Jewish people to our land, and a milestone on our road to peace – peace for all the residents of Jerusalem, and the whole region.

Jerusalem has many faces – it is a holy city and a modern city, which allows freedom of religion for all faiths. A city of history and of innovation, a microcosm of all our abilities to live together.

Jerusalem is not, and never will be, an obstacle to peace for those who want peace. As it is written, ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may all that love her prosper, may there be peace in her quarters and palaces’.”

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu:

This is a historic day. It’s been the capital of Israel for nearly 70 years. Jerusalem has been the focus of our hopes, our dreams, our prayers for three millennia. Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people for 3,000 years.

It was here that our temples stood, our kings ruled, our prophets preached

From every corner of the earth, our people yearned to return to Jerusalem, to touch its golden stones, to walk its hallowed streets. So it’s rare to be able to speak of new and genuine milestones in the glorious history of this city.

Yet today’s pronouncement by President Trump is such an occasion. We’re profoundly grateful for the President for his courageous and just decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to prepare for the opening of the US embassy here. This decision reflects the President’s commitment to an ancient but enduring truth, to fulfilling his promises and to advancing peace.

The President’s decision is an important step towards peace, for there is no peace that doesn’t include Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel. I share President Trump’s commitment to advancing peace between Israel and all of our neighbors, including the Palestinians. And we will continue to work with the President and his team to make that dream of peace come true. I call on all countries that seek peace to join the United States in recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to move their embassies here.

I also want to make clear: there will be no change whatsoever to the status quo at the holy sites. The Jewish people and the Jewish state will be forever grateful. This has been our goal from Israel’s first day

Israel will always ensure freedom of worship for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. President Trump, thank you for today’s historic decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman:

In his bold decision, in the 70th year of the State of Israel, the President of the United States corrected a historic injustice and reminded the world that Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people for 3,000 years.

Like every Israeli on this moving evening, I feel great pride and wish to thank President Trump for fulfilling his promise and proving that with him is a word.

President Trump’s announcement now creates an opportunity to intensify the political dialogue.

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked:

I thank President Trump for his steadfastness under heavy international pressure and recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel, and I hope that we will soon see the new embassy in the capital.

The Palestinians need to know: The rules of the game have changed. The ship changed direction. I recommend that they not test Israel’s patience with their terror threats. The United States is Israel’s greatest friend and is now taking the first step that should have been made 70 years ago.

Education Minister Naftali Bennet:

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat:

The recognition of President Trump in Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is a historic declaration that sends a clear message to the entire world that the United States stands with the Jewish people, the State of Israel and Jerusalem.

As a gesture and expression of the courageous friendship between the American people and the people of Israel, we decided to illuminate the walls of the Old City in the colors of the American and Israeli flags, the Old City, the Western Wall and the Temple Mount symbolize the strength and historical connection of the Jewish people to Jerusalem more than 3,000 years ago. And we have reached this time

Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotevely:

Our friend the US has made an important and historic decision by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the eternal capital of the Jewish people.

We congratulate President Trump and hope that other countries will follow suit and adopt the policy of recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Today marks a historic day. We welcome the courageous and just decision made by our friend, the United States by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

For 3000 years Jerusalem is the heart and soul of the Jewish people.

And this decision is reflecting a historical truth and a reality. We would like to say that this decision is opening a new chapter of the international community recognizing Jerusalem.

I really hope more countries will follow and will adopt this important decision.

Deputy Education Minister Meir Porush:

President Trump’s declaration of recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will cost us dearly, and in the diplomatic program he will present, he will harm us.

It is better to build in Yehuda, Shomron and Jerusalem neighborhoods where there is a demand for housing than a declaration that has no substance.

MK Yisrael Eichler:

I welcome the US recognition of Jerusalem, but I would prefer a thousand apartments for young couples in Jerusalem than to one American Embassy. I pray that the statement will not cost us the blood from terror attacks chas v’sholom.

Agudath Yisrael USA:

Israel is a sovereign state. Sovereign states have every right to determine where their capitals are. Israel has designated Jerusalem as its capital. Jerusalem is the seat of Israel’s national government. Yet nations of the world refuse to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This is nothing less than a travesty.

The United States of America is Israel’s closest ally. For years its political leaders have acknowledged Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Indeed, in 1995 Congress passed “The Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995,” which explicitly establishes the position of the United States that “Jerusalem should be recognized as the capital of the State of Israel,” and requires that the American Embassy in Israel be moved to Jerusalem. President Trump’s welcome announcement today reaffirms that longstanding commitment, and deserves to be warmly commended.

To us, as believing Jews, the special status of Jerusalem is not dependent upon the formal recognition of governments or the nations of the world. To us, Yerushalayim is the Ir Hakodesh, the holy city, the place where the Holy Temples stood thousands of years ago, the place that has been in the prayers and hearts of the Jewish people wherever they may have been through their long years of exile, the place that has been our glorious history and will forever remain our ultimate destiny.

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai:

Every time a new ambassador comes to me, I tell him that I am happy to host him, but our capital is Jerusalem and I would be happy if all the embassies would pass from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem the capital.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas:

Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the State of Palestine. He called Mr Trump’s announcement “deplorable”, saying the US could no longer be a peace broker.

The Pope:

English Haaretz Headline:

Palestinians Voice Despair Over Trump’s Jerusalem Decision: ‘Nothing Left to Lose’

French President Emmanuel Macron:

The status of Jerusalem should be determined in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. I call on both sides to refrain from violence.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres:

It was a a moment of great anxiety. There is no alternative to the two-state solution.

British PM Theresa May:

The announcement was unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region.

The accompanying photos show some of the reactions as well, protests by Arabs in Berlin as well as PA (Palestinian Authority) autonomous areas including Kalkilye shortly after President Trump made the announcement. We also see how Jerusalem Mayor Barkat had the Israeli and American flags projected on the Old City Walls Wednesday evening as the announcement was made.

There are also characterizes from social and Arab media showing other responses.

And finally, there are few issues on which most MKs agree, but in this case, there is widespread agreement – that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)