President Donald Trump on Wednesday recognized the disputed city of Jerusalem as Israels capital a historic decision that overturns decades of US policy and risks triggering a fresh spasm of violence in the Middle East. I have determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,Trump said from the White House. It is the right thing to do. The declaration calls into question seven decades of deliberate diplomatic ambiguity about the final status of a holy city vociferously claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians. Trump also kicked off the process of moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, making good on a campaign promise dear to evangelical Christian and right wing Jewish voters as well as donors. He said his decision marked the start of a new approach to solving the thorny conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.