Mitt Romney said that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and that as president he would work to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Sunday.
“A nation has the capacity to choose its own capital city, and Jerusalem is Israel’s capital,” Romney said. “I think it’s long been the policy to ultimately have our embassy in the nation’s capital of Jerusalem.”
Romney said the timing of the move would be worked out. “I would follow the same policy we have had in the past, our embassy would be in the capital, and the timing of that is something I would want to work out with the government,” Romney said.
Earlier this week, the White House issued a statement in response to questions from the press, clarifying their position on the issue: “The status of Jerusalem is an issue that should be resolved in final status negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. And we continue to work with both parties to resolve this issue and others in a way that is just and fair, and respects the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.”
