Jerusalem Mayor's Advice to President-Elect Trump

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke on Tuesday about the United States’ policy toward Israel, following America’s decision to abstain from a United Nations vote that condemns Israeli settlements.

Kerry defended the U.S. belief in a two-state solution, saying it is “the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians,” and added that the U.N. vote was about “preserving the two-state solution.”

Nir Barkat, mayor of the Israeli city of Jerusalem, joined the FOX Business Network to weigh in.

“Israelis are appreciative of the security alliance Israel has with the United States, and naturally, in spite of where we are right now, we’re best friends,” Barkat said. “The problem is the policy this administration has taken in the last eight years—it’s the wrong policy. It failed in Syria, it failed in Iraq, in Libya, it failed with the Egyptians. Unfortunately, it’s failing between Israel and the Palestinians.”

The mayor also had advice for President-elect Trump, who assumes office on January 20, regarding U.S. policy toward the country’s Middle Eastern ally.

“My recommendation to President-elect Trump is to move the embassy immediately to the City of Jerusalem. Align interests with all the moderate Arab states against radical Islam… and work to improve the economy—economic ties.”

He added: “This is his approach, this is Prime Minister Netanyahu’s approach. It’s the right approach. And I commend them just to do what they say.”