SC leaders react to Trump announcement on Jerusalem

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump broke with decades of diplomatic precedent and formally recognized the disputed city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Trump also said he would begin the process of moving the U.S. embassy to the city from Tel Aviv.

Although the announcement met with opposition in Arab and European capitals – where it is feared it will undermine peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians – the decision drew a largely positive reaction from S.C. leaders.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-North Charleston, also said the president’s decision recognizes facts on the ground.

“For all intents and purposes, Jerusalem is and has been the capital of Israel,” Scott said. “Their legislature is seated there, as well as their prime minister.

“Congress has repeatedly voted in a bipartisan manner in favor of recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and the President has made the right decision to formalize that recognition,” he said. “I look forward to our embassy moving there … as well as strengthening our relationship with Israel as efforts to find peace in the region continue.”