Israeli leaders plan to name a new Jerusalem train station after U.S. President Donald Trump, due to his recent decision to recognize the holy city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
"I decided to call the new train station which will be established in the Jewish Quarter near the Western Wall and the Temple Mount in the name of President Donald Trump, because of his historical and brave decision to recognize Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people, as the capital of the state of Israel and his intention to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem," Israeli Minister of Transportation Yisrael Katz, told CNN.
While supporters of Zionism and Israeli leaders hailed Trump's decision, Palestinians and the international community condemned the U.S. President's declaration.
Despite U.S. threats, the United Nations General Assembly issued a stern rebuke to Trump's decision, with about two-thirds of the assembly voting in support of a resolution against the declaration last week. Only nine countries – including the U.S. and Israel – voted against the resolution.
The vote followed a rebuke from the U.N. Security Council last Monday, which saw all its members, except the U.S., vote in favor of a similar resolution. Despite the 14 to 1 vote, the U.S. has veto power on the council – along with France, Russia, China, and the United Kingdom – meaning the resolution did not pass.
While a resolution from the U.N. General Assembly holds less weight than one passed by the U.N. Security Council, last week's vote clearly demonstrates where the majority of the world stands when it comes to Palestine and Israel.
The new train station is still just in the planning stage and would require an extension to Israel's soon-to-open high-speed rail line, according to CNBC. If the plan goes through, the line would extend to Jerusalem's Western Wall – a holy site for Jews.
Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to visit the iconic wall earlier this year.
Such an extension would draw significant backlash, however, as it would require tunneling below central Jerusalem and the politically and historically sensitive Old City.
Going ahead with the plan will likely draw outcry from the international community, which does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over East Jerusalem.
Israeli Transportation Ministry spokesman Avner Ovadia said the extension would cost an estimated $700 million and would take about four years to complete.