Washington, D.C. | www.adc.org | February 23, 2017 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) calls on all community members to take immediate action against H.R.257 – Recognition of Jerusalem as the Capital of the State of Israel Act. The Bill would change longstanding US policy by recognizing Jerusalem as the official Capital of Israel. Additionally, the Bill would move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. It is necessary you contact your elected officials and advocate against the passing of this legislative measure.
In Zivotofsky v. Kerry, the US Supreme Court has previously rejected legislative attempts to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital.
ADC filed an Amicus Brief in support of the Supreme Court’s decision in Zivotofsky v. Kerry.
The Recognition of Jerusalem as the Capital of the State of Israel Act would:• Recognize Jerusalem as the undivided Capital of Israel. East Jerusalem is considered occupied Palestinian territory under international law, and any attempts to exercise jurisdiction over its entirety is illegal. Every US President has refused to recognize Jerusalem as the official Capital of Israel. The bill makes no mention of Palestinians and Arabs, and only mentions a Jewish historical right to the land while omitting that Palestinian Arabs have lived there for centuries.
• Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. All foreign embassies in Israel, including the US Embassy are located in Tel Aviv because of the disputed nature of Jerusalem. This move will signal a further diplomatic shift away from supporting Palestinian statehood.