JERUSALEM, Israel, Jan. 4, 2018 /
Christian Newswire/ -- The Knesset, Israel's unicameral legislature, voted 64 to 51 on Tuesday to pass a law that was designed to prevent the government from entering into any agreement to divide the city of Jerusalem in future peace negotiations.
This law will now require any future settlement accord with the Palestinians to be submitted back to the Knesset for two-thirds approval if that agreement relinquishes any portion of Jerusalem to Palestinian control. The bill's sponsor, Shuli Moalem-Refaeli said, "The State of Israel will not allow for the establishment of a Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem. The goal of the bill is to prevent concessions as part of diplomatic deals. Jerusalem will never be on the negotiating table."
Jerusalem has drawn much attention since President Donald Trump affirmed last month that it is the capital of Israel and promised to begin the process of relocating the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem. As a result, Israel's Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz announced plans for a new train station to be built next to the Kotel, the Western Wall, that will be named after President Trump. The train station will include a tunnel from a station at the entrance to Jerusalem to the Jewish Quarter in the Old City, only a short distance from the Western Wall.
Katz said, "The Western Wall is the holiest place for the Jewish people, and I decided to call the train station that leads to it after President Trump following his historic and brave decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel."
"President Trump's affirmation that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel represents a positive catalyst for America and Israel," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel, President of Christians in Defense of Israel, and Founder and Chairman of Covenant Journey.
Liberty Counsel is an international litigation, education, and policy organization. Liberty Counsel has a number of affiliated ministries, including Christians in Defense of Israel and Covenant Journey, a program that provides a life-changing experience in Israel for Christian college-age students who have leadership potential. Find out more at www.CovenantJourney.org.