US Allows Jerusalem-born Citizens to Put Israel on Passports

Arab World

October 29th, 7:32pm

Asharq Al-Awsat

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Reuters file photo

The United States will allow Americans born in disputed Jerusalem to list Israel as their place of birth on passports and other documents, according to a new policy announced Thursday. President Donald Trump's administration broke with decades of US policy by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017 and later moving the embassy there from Tel Aviv, where most other countries maintain their missions. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that the new passport policy was in keeping with the decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Jerusalem-born Americans will be able to specify either “Israel” or “Jerusalem” as their place of birth on passports and official documents. Those who do not specify their place of birth will be listed as having been born in Jerusalem. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the move, calling it a “flagrant violation of international law.”

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2593966/us-allows-jerusalem-born-citizens-put-israel-passports