US will not reverse Jerusalem decision: Trump aide

Palestinian Muslim worshippers walk past the Dome of the Rock mosque at the Al Aqsa mosque compound.- AFP

"The answer is no." That was the response of David Satterfield, acting assistant secretary for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs for the US government on Sunday, when asked if President Donald Trump will reverse his decision on the US recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
"The president's decision stands. It is what he believes is the right step at right moment for the US. Reversing the decision is not something we will be doing. It will remain firm," he said during a press briefing with media.
"Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, has been, is now, and will remain," he added.
Stressing that he wanted to elaborate on both what "President Trump did say and did not say" during that December 6 document signing, Satterfield reconfirmed that the decision was a "recognition of simple reality".
"President Trump announced two steps: The recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, with instruction to move the US embassy there. (And that) in no way does the decision prejudice the outcome of peace between Israelis and Palestinians. These points must be understood."
Reiterating that the US is committed to executing the policy of the President of the United States, Satterfield defended Trump's controversial decision when Khaleej Times asked if this was a blatant opportunity for radicals to fan the language of hate in the region.
"We have tried to clarify that this is recognition of reality, not a resolution of the negotiation process. We hope Arab leaders - world leaders in general - understand what was said. We want to look forward with them and move forward with a peace process in the New Year, to help move the region forward."
And he added that it is now up to world leaders to choose how they convey this message to the masses.
"They can chose to speak to people in reality or in terms that inflame. We hope it is the former."
The continuation of work towards peace deals between the Israelis and Palestinians is still very much the focus of the US administration, and Satterfield said that it has had "broad recognition" that the country's role in establishing peace in the Middle East is integral.
"We hope very much that the leadership in the Middle East looks to the future. We are committed to articulating the initiative for peace and we are focused on moving forward, not backward. Those steps taken by the president were presented to key friends and allies around the world, before the decision was announced. Such open discussions will continue."
Asked why Trump chose to take the decision at this time, Satterfield said he has been "studying the issue since he took office".
"He had to take a decision on the waiver of the Jerusalem Embassy Act."
And in response to what the economic impact could be on Washington if its Arab allies pull out and cut ties with the US, he refused to comment, stating it was merely a "hypothetical" question.
"We hope very much that the international community regards these decisions for what they are and what they are not."
Going forward, Satterfield said President Trump has instructed the secretary of state to establish a new US Embassy in Jerusalem, and they are in the designing and planning stages.
"The time frame depends on the design, plans, and choice of location. We are at the beginning of a process, a process that will likely take several years."
kelly@khaleejtimes.com