Jerusalem will continue to remain Israel's capital forever, says envoy

Kolkata: Israel's Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon has asserted that Jerusalem would continue to remain the capital of Israel for eternity.

"It is fact that Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people for 5,000 years. Jerusalem is the capital of the modern state of Israel for 70 years," Carmon said."

Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish state of Israel and will continue to be so forever," he added.

The Israeli envoy`s remarks comes following widespread criticism and protests against U.S. President Donald Trump`s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Trump`s Jerusalem move has prompted international criticism and sparked protests across the world.The United States has become the first country in the world to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel following Trump`s decision.

In line with this announcement, the US is also shifting its embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city, again becoming the first country to take such a step.

Jerusalem is considered a sacred place, which is home to Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites.However, it is also a disputed territory, contested by both Israel and Palestine, which sees it as a capital of its future state.