- Washington Free Beacon - https://freebeacon.com -

Democratic Rep: Recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's Capital Will 'Blow Up' Middle East Peace Process

Democratic Rep. Denny Heck (Wash.) said on Tuesday that President Donald Trump recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel would "blow up the peace process in the Middle East."

CNN’s Wolf Blitzer asked cngressman on "The Situation Room" if Trump’s expected Wednesday announcement on moving the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem would "close the door" on Israelis and Palestinians living alongside each other.

"So presuming he goes ahead and pulls the trigger on that, I think it’s going to both literally and figuratively blow up the peace process in the Middle East," Heck said. "We know it’s a bad idea."

Heck said if Trump does recognize Jerusalem as the capital and moves the embassy, its an indication the United States has officially chosen a side and can "no longer act as the honest broker" or "facilitate peace in the Middle East."

Heck said the Palestinians’ highest priority is having East Jerusalem as its capital, just as much as it's Israel's priority to establish Jerusalem as its capital.

However, Heck suggested the United States would not be able to take point in the peace process in the Middle East if it took the Israelis' side in this case.