Sanders Statement on Trump's Plan to Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) responded to reports Tuesday that President Donald Trump plans to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel:

"I’m extremely concerned by reports that President Trump plans to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Israel. There’s a reason why all past U.S. administrations have avoided making this move, and why leaders from all over the world, including a group of former Israeli ambassadors, have warned Trump against doing it: It would dramatically undermine the prospects for an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, and severely, perhaps irreparably, damage the United States’ ability to broker that peace. What the U.S. should be doing now is bringing adversaries in the Middle East together to seek common solutions, not exacerbating tensions in this highly volatile region."