Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital is second Balfour Declaration, says PA official

Official PA TV, program Palestine This Morning, on US President Donald Trump’s declaration recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and transferring the US embassy to Jerusalem, hosting Hanna Issa.

Official PA TV Host: “Dr. Hanna [Issa], we will begin with this change and turnabout in the American administration’s policy, and this is what American President Donald Trump is emphasizing. He said that this decision has been around since 1995 (refers to the Jerusalem Embassy Act passed by the US Congress recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and calling to transfer the US embassy to it –Ed.), but the previous American presidents were not brave enough to make this decision. What is the benefit of this bold bravery for the US? Likewise, in light of the international rejection that was prevalent in the news yesterday [Dec. 6, 2017], are there concerns that the world will make this [same] decision in the future and we will experience a second Balfour Promise (i.e., Declaration)?”

Secretary-General of the PA Islamic-Christian Council for Jerusalem and the Holy Places and Fatah Revolutionary Council member Hanna Issa: “Certainly, we are currently experiencing [a second Balfour Promise]. Yesterday was the second Balfour Promise or the Trump Promise, [in] which one who is not the owner gave to one who has no right. Therefore, even the American Senate [did this] – because there is Jewish financial [influence] and media influence there like a financial junta on the positions within the US, and it led to a decision or law like this being made in Congress in 1995.”
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US recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel - On Dec. 6, 2017, US President Donald Trump gave a speech formally recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and stating that he had instructed the State Department to begin preparations to transfer the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump concluded by stating that the US is still fully committed to the peace process in the Middle East. Following his speech, Trump signed the waiver to delay the transfer of the embassy, and apparently will continue to do so until preparations for the transfer have been completed.

The Balfour Declaration of Nov. 2, 1917 was a letter from British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Baron Rothschild stating that “His Majesty's government views with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.” In 1922, the League of Nations adopted this and made the British Mandate “responsible for putting into effect the declaration,” which led to the UN vote in 1947 and the establishment of the State of Israel.

Hanna Issa is the Secretary-General of the PA Islamic-Christian Council for Jerusalem and the Holy Places and member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council.