Tanzania says its embassy to remain in Tel Aviv

By Peter Saramba Ongiri

MWANZA, Tanzania (AA) - Tanzania on Friday said its embassy in Israel will remain in Tel Aviv, despite concerted efforts are being made to convince the East African country to shift its embassy to Jerusalem.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency on a telephone interview, Tanzanian Foreign Affairs Minister Augustine Mahiga dismissed reports that it was planning to shift its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

“Tanzania’s embassy is in Tel Aviv, and it will remain there,” the Minister insisted.

Replying to a query on Tanzania’s stance over the U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to move the American embassy to Jerusalem, Mahiga said: “We are in no hurry to comment on this issue”.

Tanzania Embassy in Israel was opened three months ago after the two countries restored diplomatic relations, which had broken in early 1970s due to Tanzania’s support to Palestinian freedom efforts.

Despite widespread international opposition, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

According to Trump, the U.S. State Department has been told to begin preparations for relocating the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Prof. Abdallah Safari, a former lecturer in Dar es Salaam, the U.S. violated international laws and lost its legitimacy in the Israel-Palestinian conflict mediation by making this announcement.

The dramatic shift in Washington’s Jerusalem policy triggered demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq and other Muslim countries.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- now occupied by Israel -- might eventually serve as the capital of a future Palestinian state.