The Jewish Federation of Cleveland welcomes the official recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital by the United States. This position comes as a confirmation of Jerusalem’s status as Israel’s capital since 1950. Furthermore, it reiterates the bipartisan consensus established by the passage of the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Act, which affirmed that each sovereign nation, under international law and custom may designate its own capital. The administration’s decision to begin the process of moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem similarly reflects the bipartisan agreement in the 1995 law.
Under Israel’s sovereignty, Jerusalem has been a holy city where the rights of all faiths have been respected and protected. Official recognition of Jerusalem should not preclude or prejudice final status negotiations, which must be determined by the Israelis and Palestinians directly. The Federation looks forward to the day when the Israeli and Palestinian leadership bring both peoples to reconciliation in the region and a lasting peace.
Stephen H. Hoffman
President
Gary L. Gross
Board Chair
Bradley J. Schlang
Community Relations Committee Chair
