Menendez on Trump Administration Jerusalem Announcement

Statement

Today, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, a senior member of the senate Foreign Relations Committee, released this statement on the Trump Administration's announcement about Jeruselum.

"Today, I welcome the announcement from the President affirming established U.S. law that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and that the Embassy of the United States should reside in the capital. I have always supported moving the United States Embassy to Jerusalem, and have always said it is not a matter of "if" but "when".

"The President's announcement also reaffirms twenty years of United States policy -- to support efforts to reach a two-state solution that provides peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians and to support direct negotiations for the parties to determine final status that ensures all people and faiths have access to this holy city to which the Jewish people have been connected for more than 3,000 years. I look forward to hearing the Administration's efforts to restart a meaningful peace process.

"I believe the President should coordinate closely with our important allies in the region, particularly those who are also friends of Israel. Violence is never an appropriate course of action, and I trust the President coordinated closely with the Secretaries of State and Defense to ensure that our diplomats, service members, and citizens abroad are well-protected."

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