Israel’s UN envoy praises Trump’s embassy move announcement

Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon urges other nations to follow suit.

By DANIEL J. ROTH
Updated: FEBRUARY 24, 2018 03:11
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon addresses the Security Council. (photo credit: UN PHOTO)
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon addresses the Security Council.
(photo credit: UN PHOTO)
NEW YORK - Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon praised the Trump administration on Friday shortly after they announced that the US embassy currently located in Tel Aviv will be moved to Jerusalem in May.
“President Trump’s bold decision to move the American embassy to Jerusalem this May, in honor of our 70th Independence Day, is a testament to the unbreakable alliance and true friendship between the US and Israel,” said Ambassador Danon.
The Israeli envoy also urged other members of the United Nations to follow suit, saying that the world needs to acknowledge the currently reality on the ground. “The time is now for all UN member-states to follow in the footsteps of the US and declare that they too recognize Jerusalem as the eternal capital of the State of Israel,” he added.
Danon’s statement came just hours after the White House made the announcement on Friday morning, catching many off guard especially after Vice President Mike Pence announced last month in the Knesset that the embassy move would not happen until the end of 2019. The State Department continues to scope out sites and architects for the construction of a larger, permanent embassy in Jerusalem.
US President Donald Trump touted his decision to move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv in a speech to a conservative action group in Washington on Friday.
"I said, 'I have to do it, because its the right thing to do,'" Trump said, of his conversations with world leaders leading up to the decision.
"The campaign against it was so incredible. But you know what, the campaign for it was also incredible." The White House confirmed the decision after Minister of Transportation and Intelligence Israel Katz tweeted a thank you to the administration hours before an official statement was released by Washington.
Katz posted to Twitter: "I would like to congratulate Donald Trump, the President of the US @POTUS on his decision to transfer the US Embassy to our capital on Israel's 70th Independence Day. There is no greater gift than that! The most just and correct move. Thanks friend!"
Trump announced in December that the United States recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, setting in motion the move of the embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.
Michael Wilner and Reuters contributed to this story