The U.S. Senate voted unanimously, 90-0, Monday night on a measure marking the 50th year of the reunification of Jerusalem – and calling on President Donald Trump to “abide by” the 1995 law mandating the relocation of the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The resolution states in part, “Jerusalem should be recognized as the capital of the State of Israel and a united city in which all religious faiths are respected and protected. Jerusalem is a holy city and the home for people of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), chief sponsor of the Jerusalem resolution, said in a statement, “While we know that Israel continues to face a number of threats, bipartisan passage of this resolution will serve as yet another indication of the United States’ commitment to standing by our Israeli friends.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) co-sponsored the resolution, dubbed the “50th Anniversary of the Reunification of Jerusalem.”
In his statement, Schumer said, “The semi-centennial of the reunification of Jerusalem is an important milestone for Israel and Jewish people across the globe given that Jerusalem has been a focal point of Jewish life for thousands of years…
“The resolution also affirms the longstanding policy of the United States government that a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved through direct, bilateral negotiations without preconditions for a sustainable two-state solution.”