Danielle Pletka | AEIdeas
President Trump announced Wednesday that the US will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Israel. It is an emotional choice, even as it is clear it will have real strategic implications. Naysayers insist this move will prejudice peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Advocates counter that there is no peace that contemplates the handover of West Jerusalem. Changing the status quo is always a risk.
Some media outlets affiliated with the Assad regime and Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah initially reported that Israeli warplanes targeted an ammunition bunker belonging to the Syrian Army. But other media outlets, widely quoted in Hebrew media on Saturday evening, reported that the target was a military base that Iran is building in the area, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the Israeli border, and that loud explosions were heard after the attack.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-jets-reportedly-target-syrian-base-near-damascus/
Kenneth Pollack | Atlantic Council
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today called for an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul on Dec. 13 to address US President Donald Trump’s intention to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Erdogan warned Tuesday that “Jerusalem is a red line for Muslims” and that its recognition as Israel’s capital “could lead us to break off our diplomatic relations with Israel.” He is scheduled to meet King Abdullah of Jordan today to discuss the move. Trump is expected to announce his decision later today while delaying the relocation of the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem while peace talks are ongoing.
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interview with Kiron K. Skinner via America's News HQ (Fox News)
Hoover Institution fellow Kiron Skinner discusses the background and reasons for moving the US embassy to Jerusalem.
BY SPENGLER
President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel will be as a stab in the heart to the Arab World. But anything else would be to succor Arab hopes that Israel might some day be defeated and eliminated
BY SAMI MOUBAYED
US president's boldness ends years of dithering in Washington. It's also likely to scupper hopes of the peace process being revived and herald another (unsuccessful) intifada
Israel today announced plans to deploy hundreds of troops to the West Bank amid rising tensions following US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Reporters spotted groups of Israeli soldiers massing at the checkpoint between Jerusalem and the northern West Bank. Hamas, the Islamist party that controls the Gaza Strip, has called for a new intifada while the West Bank is bracing for a general strike today, with shops and schools closed. "Upon the conclusion of the general staff's situation assessment, it was decided that a number of battalions will reinforce in the area of [the West Bank], as well as combat intelligence and territorial defense," the Israeli military said in a statement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his part has ordered his ministers to minimize further statements on the issue following a US request for restraint. The Israeli leader praised Trump’s decision in a televised speech on Wednesday, calling it an important step to "advancing peace,” while chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat declared that "the two-state solution is over." The Czech Republic was the only other country to follow Trump’s lead on Wednesday by recognizing the pre-1967 West Jerusalem as Israel's capital. US allies across the Arab world by contrast condemned the move as a blow to Middle East peace efforts, while eight members of the UN Security Council — including stalwart US allies Britain, France and Italy — requested an emergency meeting on the issue, likely to take place Friday. Read More