Canadian Conservative Party Would Recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital

TEL AVIV — The Canadian opposition Conservatives said Monday they would officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel if they win the election in 2019, adding that they recognize “the obvious fact that Israel, like every other sovereign nation, has a right to determine where its capital is located.”

The news comes days after the U.S. announced it would move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May to coincide with the 70^th anniversary of Israel’s independence.

“Canada’s Conservatives led by Andrew Scheer will recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital when we form a government in 2019,” the party said on its website.

The statement continued by declaring that the Conservatives “have been and always will be a strong voice for Israel and the Canadian Jewish community.”

“Israel is one of Canada’s strongest allies and a beacon of pluralism and democratic principles in a turbulent part of the world,” it added.

“Canada’s Conservatives recognize the obvious fact that Israel, like every other sovereign nation, has a right to determine where its capital is located,” the statement concluded.

The Conservatives were in power from 2006 until 2015 before losing to the Justin Trudeau-led Liberals.

Also on Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said President Donald Trump is “worthy of all praise” for his decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and it is “only a matter of time” before other countries follow suit.

At the weekly Likud faction meeting, Netanyahu said he would “personally thank” Trump on behalf of Israel during their meeting at the White House next week.

“We are in touch with other countries, and it’s only a matter of time before other countries join the U.S. in moving their embassies to Jerusalem,” he added.

The move has sparked anger among the Palestinians, who on Monday called for a “day of rage.”