Israel plans 'Trump station' at proposed railway line in Jerusalem
Israel's transport minister Yisrael Katz has said he wants to name a train station on a proposed railway tunnel under Jerusalem's Old City after US President Donald Trump. The station would precede the Western Wall, the holiest prayer site for Jews. Katz said he wants to honor Trump over his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Here's more about it.
Trump delivers on Israel promise, recognizes Jerusalem as capital
On December 7, Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in a bold and unprecedented step that reversed decades of official US policy. Trump termed the move "a long overdue step to advance the middle-east peace process." The status of Jerusalem is central to Israel-Palestine conflict. Israel lauded the announcement while several world leaders criticized it.
Why is the status of Jerusalem contentious?
Jerusalem lies along the border between Israel and the West Bank. It is home to religious sites considered holy by Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Israel considers Jerusalem its capital while Palestinians envision East Jerusalem as the capital of their own future independent state.
'Trump station' to honor president's "brave and historic decision"
"The Kotel [Western Wall] is the holiest place to the Jewish people, and I have decided to name the train station leading to it after US President Donald Trump, in recognition of his brave and historic decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital," Katz said.
Palestinians protested against railway tunnel excavations by Israelis
The proposed new railway tunnel and station would be part of an extension of a high-speed line connected to Tel Aviv. The Palestinians had previously protested against excavation work by Israelis close to the compound behind the Western Wall called Temple Mount by Jews and Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) by Muslims. UNESCO had also earlier expressed concern over the excavations and tunneling.
