American and British diplomats here today expressed surprise over a decision adopted by the Israeli Cabinet to transfer the Foreign Ministry from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. A communique announcing the decision gave no reason for the action.
The British Legation here today said that it will communicate with the Foreign Office in London and ask for advice, since Britain does not recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. It is understood that the transfer of Israel’s Foreign Ministry from here to Jerusalem will take place within four to six months, when premises are completed for the office.
The Israel Government proclaimed Jerusalem the capital of the Jewish State in 1949. This move has not been sanctioned by the United Nations, which still has on its agenda a resolution requesting the placing of Jerusalem under international control. However, diplomats of many countries stationed in Tel Aviv have recently been visiting Israel’s official functions in Jerusalem and take it as a matter of fact that Jerusalem, and not Tel Aviv, is now the capital.
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