Why Jerusalem can make or break peace between Israelis and Palestinians

When President Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and announced a plan to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, he reversed decades of US policy regarding the status of the holy city.

Both Israelis and Palestinians consider Jerusalem their capital, making it a big point of contention in peace talks and in everyday life. To maintain the fragile balance, the global consensus is to let Israelis and Palestinians decide the status of Jerusalem as part of a larger two-state solution negotiation. But Trump’s declaration is challenging this status quo.

The announcement spurred protests in the Middle East and condemnation from world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Theresa May and Pope Francis. Watch the video above to learn more about the status of Jerusalem and why it is such a hot-button issue.

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