President Donald Trump has shattered decades of unwavering U. S. neutrality on Jerusalem.
The Latest on President Donald Trump’s decision on recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital (all times EST):
10:30 p.m.
President Donald Trump has shattered decades of unwavering U. S. neutrality on Jerusalem, declaring the sorely divided holy city as Israel’s capital and sparking frustrated Palestinians to cry out that he had destroyed already-fragile Mideast hopes for peace.
Trump insisted that after repeated peace failures it was past time for a new approach, starting with his decision to recognize Jerusalem as the seat of Israel’s government. He also said the United States would move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, though he set no timetable.
Harsh objections came from a wide array of presidents and prime ministers. No government beyond Israel spoke up in praise of Trump or suggested it would follow his lead.
_
6:25 p.m.
Australia’s foreign minister says she is concerned that the U. S. decision to move its Israel embassy to Jerusalem will increase tensions with the Palestinians.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop tells the Australian Broadcasting Corporation she’s «concerned by any unilateral action by either side which could add to tensions.»
She adds, «The Australian government remains committed and optimistic that the way to achieve enduring peace between the Israelis and Palestinians is a negotiated two-state solution.»
She says Australia doesn’t intend to shift its embassy from Tel Aviv.
___
5:35 p.m.
Eight countries opposed to President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital have asked for an emergency meeting of the U. N. Security Council this week.
Sweden’s U. N. Mission says the eight nations have asked Japan, this month’s council president, to have Secretary-General Antonio Guterres brief the 15 council members.
The eight council nations that requested the meeting are Bolivia, Egypt, France, Italy, Senegal, Sweden, United Kingdom and Uruguay.
Guterres said after Trump’s announcement that the issue must be resolved through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians and warned that «unilateral measures» can jeopardize prospects for peace.
In a resolution adopted last December the council said it «will not recognize any changes to the June 4,1967, lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties through negotiations.»
___
4 p.m.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is opposing U. S. President Donald Trump’s decision on recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
In a tweet Wednesday directed at Trump, Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert quotes Merkel saying, «The German government doesn’t support this stance, because the status of Jerusalem must be negotiated within the framework of a two-state solution.»
__
3:50 p.m.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says U. S. President Donald Trump’s recognition doesn’t automatically make Jerusalem the capital of Israel.
Cavusoglu said Wednesday in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, that «with one announcement by a country, Jerusalem cannot be the capital of Israel.»
Cavusoglu adds, «You can’t come out and say, ‘I’m a great power, I can do what I want.’
«There can be no understanding under which one can say I made such an announcement and it will become reality,» Cavusoglu insists.
He says «the whole world opposes it and it is wrong.»
Cavusoglu also describes Trump’s move as a «dangerous step,» adding, «we would have wished that this decision were never taken.»
__
3:45 p.m.
U. S. ally Jordan has slammed President Donald Trump’s recognition of contested Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, saying it stokes anger in the region and violates U. S. resolutions.
The pro-Western kingdom has a special stake in the city whose Israeli-annexed eastern sector is sought by the Palestinians as a future capital.
Jordan has a large population of Palestinian origin and Jordan’s King Abdullah II serves as guardian of the third holiest site of Islam, located in east Jerusalem.
The monarch is to meet Thursday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Jordan to coordinate a response.
Government spokesman Mohammed Momani said Wednesday that Trump’s announcement on Jerusalem pre-empts the outcome of future peace negotiations, «fuels anger and provokes the feelings of Muslims and Christians.»
___
3:40 p.m.
The European Union says it has «serious concern» about the impact of the U. S. President Donald Trump’s decision on recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital on the future of the peace process.
The EU said Wednesday its position «remains unchanged» and wants the status of Jerusalem «as the future capital of both states» to be settled through negotiations.
The 28-nation EU called for restraint and calm to stave off any escalation.
___
3:30 p.m.
Palestinians have taken to the streets in the Gaza Strip to protest the decision by President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Dozens of angry youths burned tires in spontaneous protests at several locations Wednesday after Trump’s declaration.
The Islamic militant group Hamas has called for more protests over the coming days. Hamas controls Gaza, and the U. S. and the European Union consider it a terrorist organization
Trump’s announcement breaks with decades of U. S. foreign policy.
It brought warnings from leaders in the Mideast and elsewhere that the move could inflame tensions in the volatile Mideast and complicate Mideast peace efforts.
___
3:05 p.m.
U. S. embassies in the Middle East and Europe are warning Americans traveling or living there of the potential for violent protests after President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Within minutes of Trump’s announcement, the embassies in Turkey, Jordan, Germany and Britain issued security alerts urging Americans to exercise vigilance and caution. Other embassies are expected to follow suit.
The U. S. Embassy in Ankara says it expects protests to take place near its location as well as the consulates in Istanbul and Adana.
The U. S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan, says it would close to the public on Thursday and has banned employees from leaving the capital. The children of embassy employees have been told to stay home from school and all Americans there are advised to keep a low profile.
U. S. Embassies in Berlin, London and Minsk, Belarus issued identical warnings.
___
3 p.m.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says President Donald Trump made a «bold move» by implementing a U. S. law that has long called for the American Embassy in Israel to move to Jerusalem.
Tillerson is in Germany for a brief stop and made the comment as he met with U. S. military commanders. Earlier in the day, Trump said he was recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Tillerson says planning for a Jerusalem embassy will start immediately — and that includes picking a site. But he says building the embassy will take time.
There’s opposition in the Arab world to Trump’s decision, and Tillerson says the State Department has taken necessary precautions to ensure the safety of U. S. personnel in the region.
___
2:35 p.m.
Egypt has denounced President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state.
Egypt was the first Arab nation to sign a peace treaty with Israel — that came in 1979.
A Foreign Ministry statement says Trump’s decision is a violation of international resolutions on the city’s status.
The statement says Egypt is worried about the impact of the U. S. move on the stability of the region and about its «extremely negative» impact on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
___
2:30 p.m.
The Palestinian leader says President Donald Trump has destroyed his credibility as a Mideast peace broker after recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Mahmoud Abbas (mahk-MOOD’ ah-BAHS’) says in a televised statement that Trump’s decision «is a declaration of withdrawal from the role it has played in the peace process.»
Trump’s Mideast peace team has held months of meetings with Israeli, Palestinian and Arab leaders for nearly a year ahead of an expected peace proposal.
By recognizing Israel’s claim to Jerusalem, Trump is seen by the Palestinians as siding with Israel on the most sensitive issue in the conflict. The Palestinians seek east Jerusalem — which Israel captured in 1967 — for their capital.
Abbas says the Palestinian leadership will meet in the coming days and consult with Arab leaders to formulate a response.
___
2:15 p.m.
France’s leader says President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is «a regrettable decision that France does not approve.»
Emmanuel Macron says Trump’s decision «contravenes international law and U. N. Security Council resolutions.»
Macron also says the status of Jerusalem «will have to be determined by Israelis and Palestinians in negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations.»
___
2:10 p.m.
An adviser to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas (mahk-MOOD’ ah-BAHS’) says President Donald Trump’s announcement on Jerusalem has «isolated the U. S. from any role in the peace process.»
Nabil Shaath says Trump’s speech «gave Israel what it wants and gave us nothing.»
The Palestinians claim east Jerusalem as their capital. It was captured by Israel in 1967.
Trump has recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, while paying little recognition to the Palestinian claim to the eastern part of the city.
___
2 p.m.
Hundreds of people in Turkey are staging demonstrations near U. S. diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul.
The demonstrations came after President Donald Trump announced that the United States now recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
And Turkey’s foreign minister has condemned what he says is an «irresponsible» decision by Trump.
___
1:50 p.m.
The head of the Islamic militant group Hamas is accusing President Donald Trump of disregarding Palestinian feelings with his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Ismail Haniyeh says in a statement that the Palestinian people «know how to respond properly to the disregard of their feelings and sanctuaries.»
He says the decision «will not change the facts of history and geography.»
Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, is considered a terrorist group by Israel, the U. S. and other Western allies.
___
1:45 p.m.
U. N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (goo-TEHR’-esh) is speaking out against what he says are «unilateral measures» that jeopardize the prospect for peace for Israelis and Palestinians.
He’s speaking after President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States now recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
But the U. N. leader says the issue of Jerusalem must be resolved through direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Guterres tells reporters that «in this moment of great anxiety, I want to make it clear: there is no alternative to the two-state solution. There is no Plan B.»
The U. N. chief never mentioned Trump’s decision in his remarks.
Guterres says he’ll do «everything in my power» to promote the return to negotiations by Israeli and Palestinian leaders «and to realize this vision of a lasting peace for both people.»
___
1:35 p.m.
Israel’s prime minister calls it a «historic day» — following President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Benjamin Netanyahu (neh-ten-YAH’-hoo) says in a statement that Israel is «profoundly grateful» and that Trump’s announcement is an «important step toward peace.»
The Israeli leader says his country «will continue to work with the president and his team to make that dream of peace come true.’
Trump is pledging to move the U. S. Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, and Netanyahu is urging other countries to follow suit.
___
1:30 p.m.
President Donald Trump says he’s directing the State Department to begin preparations to move the U. S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Trump says the move would allow the department to begin hiring architects and making other plans. Trump says the move is «a recognition of reality.»
The move breaks with decades of U. S. foreign policy. And the president is defying warnings from global leaders that it would it more difficult to achieve a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians.
___
1:25 p.m.
President Donald Trump is trying to make the case that his decision about recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is «long overdue» and will advance the Mideast peace process.
Trump says he intends to do «everything» in his power «to help forge» a peace deal.
Trump is also acknowledging that «there will of course be disagree and dissident» over the moves, including relocating the American Embassy from Tel Aviv.
But he’s calling for calm in response to his announcement.
___
1:20 p.m.
President Donald Trump has announced that the United States now recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. It’s a move that upends decades of U. S. policy.
He says in a White House speech that he’s «determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Trump says he’s deemed this change to be in America’s interests.
The president says the decision «marks the beginning of a new approach to conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.»
World leaders have warned that the move could inflame tensions in the volatile Mideast.
___
1:10 p.m.
The Jerusalem municipality has illuminated the walls of the Old City red, white and blue to show thanks to President Trump’s recognition of it as Israel’s capital.
Mayor Nir Barkat says the main entrance to the city will also be lit in America’s colors and American flags will be flown across major streets of the city on Thursday.
Barkat says Trump’s announcement «sends a clear message to the entire world» that the United States stands with Israel and the Jewish people.
___
11:10 a.m.
Bolivia’s U. N. ambassador says he’ll seek a U. N. Security Council meeting as soon as possible if President Donald Trump declares Jerusalem the capital of Israel.
Bolivia is serving a two-year term on the U. N.’s most powerful panel.
Ambassador Sacha Llorentty Soliz, tells reporters that declaring Jerusalem as Israel’s capital «will be a reckless and a dangerous decision that goes against international law, the resolutions of the Security Council, and also weakens any effort for peace in the region.»
Soliz says such a decision would threaten prospects for an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, as well as jeopardize international peace and security.
___
10:05 a.m.
Leaders of major Christian denominations in the Holy Land have appealed to President Donald Trump to rethink his expected decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
They say in a letter that Trump’s steps will mean «increased hatred, conflict, violence and suffering in Jerusalem and the Holy Land.»
Their letter asks Trump to walk toward «more love and a definitive peace» by continuing to recognize the international status of Jerusalem.
And they say that «any sudden changes would cause irreparable harm.»
The letter was signed by all of the city’s major church figures, including the Greek Orthodox patriarch, Theophilos III, and Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Roman Catholic apostolic administrator.

Similarity rank: 46

Sentiment rank: 0.2

© Source: http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article188293694.html
All rights are reserved and belongs to a source media.

Democrat Al Franken faced intense pressure from members of his own party on Wednesday to resign from the U. S. Senate over accusations of sexual misconduct.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Democrat Al Franken faced intense pressure from members of his own party on Wednesday to resign from the U. S. Senate over accusations of sexual misconduct.
Minnesota Public Radio reported Franken would resign on Thursday. Franken’s office said in an email that no final decision had been made and that the senator was still discussing the issue with his family.
After accusations began surfacing three weeks ago, Franken said he would remain in office and work to regain the trust of voters in Minnesota, the state he represents.
But on Wednesday, calls for him to resign came from the majority of his Democratic colleagues in the Senate, including Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and almost all of the Democratic women in the chamber, putting great pressure on him to quit.
“I consider Senator Franken a dear friend and greatly respect his accomplishments, but he has a higher obligation to his constituents and the Senate, and he should step down immediately,” Schumer said in a statement.
Franken said on Twitter that he would make an announcement on Thursday, but he offered no details.
In its report, Minnesota Public Radio cited a Democratic official who had spoken to the senator and aides.
Late on Wednesday, news website Politico reported that Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton was expected to appoint Democratic Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith to take Franken’s seat if he resigned. She would hold the seat until a special election in 2018.
That move would leave the Minnesota race wide open because Smith would not run in the special election to finish Franken’s term, which goes through 2020, Politico said, citing people familiar with Dayton’s thinking.
Franken is one of a number of prominent American men in politics, media and entertainment who have been accused in recent months of sexual harassment and misconduct.
Another accusation against Franken surfaced on Wednesday when Politico reported that a congressional aide said Franken had tried to forcibly kiss her in 2006, before he was first elected as a senator. Franken denied the allegations, Politico reported.
Franken’s office did not reply to a request for comment on the report.
The calls on Wednesday marked the first time Franken’s Democratic colleagues had publicly pressed for him to step down since the accusations surfaced. The party’s chairman, Tom Perez, also pressed for him to resign.
Schumer called Franken immediately after the Politico story was published and told him that he needed to relinquish his Senate seat, according to a person familiar with the situation.
“I’ve struggled with this decision because he’s been a good senator and I consider him a friend,” Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii wrote on Twitter. “But that cannot excuse his behavior and his mistreatment of women.”
Franken apologized for his behavior after earlier accusations and said he would cooperate with a Senate Ethics Committee investigation. Reuters has not independently verified the claims against him.
Democrats are seeking the moral high ground in the wake of sexual misconduct accusations against numerous public figures, including Republican Roy Moore of Alabama, who is running for the Senate, and Democratic Representative John Conyers, who resigned on Tuesday. Both of those men have denied the accusations against them.
Several Republican lawmakers initially called on Moore to step out of the race, but have since said the decision is ultimately up to Alabama voters. President Donald Trump has endorsed the candidate. The election is Tuesday.
Franken, a former comedian who rose to national prominence as a cast member on the long-running television program “Saturday Night Live,” had been considered a rising star in the Democratic party since he was first elected in 2008.
Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who was among those saying Franken should resign, told reporters that Democrats had been “having conversations” about Franken for a while.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell joined the groundswell against Franken, saying in a statement, “I do not believe he can effectively serve the people of Minnesota in the U. S. Senate any longer.”
Franken’s Minnesota colleague, Senator Amy Klobuchar, wrote on Twitter, “Sexual harassment is unacceptable. This morning I spoke with Senator Franken and, as you know, he will be making an announcement about his future tomorrow morning. I am confident he will make the right decision.”

Similarity rank: 40

Sentiment rank: -0.7

© Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-congress-franken/democratic-senator-franken-faces-pressure-to-resign-announcement-looms-idUSKBN1E02G4?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtopNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Top+News%29
All rights are reserved and belongs to a source media.