Canada’s Conservatives follow Trump promising to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

Following Donald Trump’s lead, the leader of Canada’s Conservative party has pledged to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital if the party forms government after the next election in 2019. It’s a move that would put Canada at odds with the vast majority of the international community.

“Canada’s Conservatives led by Andrew Scheer will recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital when we form government in 2019,” the party said in a pledge posted on its website this weekend. “Israel is one of Canada's strongest allies and a beacon of pluralism and democratic principles in a turbulent part of the world.”

A spokesperson for Conservative leader Andrew Scheer did not immediately respond to interview requests from VICE News on what the recognition proposal would mean for Canada’s broader foreign policy in the Middle East or other specifics of the proposed shift.

The Conservative proposal would put Canada at odds with most of the world, including the U.K., France, Germany and 125 other countries who opposed the U.S. move to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital during a vote at the United Nations General Assembly in December.

Palestinians want East Jerusalem, which was occupied by Israel following a conflict in 1967, as the capital of their future state and have vigorously condemned moves by the U.S. and a handful of its allies, mostly small pacific island nations, to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

"What does this decision serve?" asked Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour during the U.N. vote on the U.S. move, CNN reported. "It serves the Israeli government in implementing its colonial plans. It serves the powers of extremism… Does the United States not wonder why it stands isolated," Mansour asked, "and why even its closest allies couldn't turn a blind eye to this decision?"

The Trump administration’s recognition plan was backed by nine countries including Israel Togo, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Marshall Islands, Guatemala and Honduras during the United Nations vote.

Canada, under the Trudeau government, abstained from voting.

“I have always been very clear: our embassy will stay in Tel Aviv,” Trudeau said at the time, Canadian Press reported. “We do not believe that actions like this (Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to move the embassy there) are useful.”

Countries who voted against the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital want the status of the city to be determined in peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians as part of a push for a solution to the long-running conflict.