Netanyahu: Abbas's rebuke of Trump 'doesn't impress' us

“In the end the truth will win out and many countries will recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move their embassies there,” says Israeli premier.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, REUTERS
Updated: DECEMBER 14, 2017 11:41
Israeli Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem (photo credit: REUTERS/GALI TIBBON/POOL)
Israeli Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem
(photo credit: REUTERS/GALI TIBBON/POOL)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday urged Palestinians to recognize the "reality" that Jerusalem is Israel's capital and to work for peace, instead of incitement.
Speaking at an event honoring outstanding members of the Mossad, at the President's residence in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said that Israel was also making sure that freedom of worship for all religions was being ensured by Israel.
Palestinian leader Abbas says Trump"s "crime" over Jerusalem precludes US peace role (Reuters)
Netanyahu said the Palestinians should recognize another fact as well: “Not only is Jerusalem Israel's capital, we protect the freedom of worship for all the religions,” something that does not exist elsewhere in the region.
“Therefore, all these declarations don't impress us,” Netanyahu said of the Istanbul conference. “In the end the truth will win out and many countries will recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move their embassies there.”
Earlier Wednesday, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said, the Trump administration's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was the "greatest crime" and a flagrant violation of international law.
"Jerusalem is and always will be the capital of Palestine," he told an emergency meeting of Muslim leaders in Turkey. He said the United States was giving away Jerusalem as if it were an American city.
"It crosses all the red lines," he said.
Abbas said it was unacceptable for the United States to have a role in the Middle East peace process because it was biased in favor of Israel.
Herb Keinon contributed to this report.