Belgian secretary of state: No doubt Jerusalem is Israel’s capital

In a departure from Belgium’s official policy, the country’s secretary of state says that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital.

Philippe de Backer, whose position in the Belgian government is comparable to that of a deputy cabinet minister, identifies Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in an interview published earlier this week for Joods Actueel, the Jewish monthly of Antwerp.

“There is not doubt that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. It’s clear: it’s reality. There’s no discussion on this issue. But we’re in a political context where Europe sees Jerusalem as subject to negotiations toward a two-state solution,” he says.

In December, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel condemned US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The United States intends to move its embassy this year from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

— JTA