Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin commented on the new US Democratic political party platform stating, "I'm less worried about the US - Israel issue on Iran, and more concerned about President [Barack] Obama's withdrawal from the principle that Jerusalem is Israel's capital. This has far-reaching significance which reflects a complete lack of understanding from the Obama administration about the roots of the conflict and the events in the Middle East. In my opinion, it is a shame that the Democratic Party renounced its commitment to the principle of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Anyone who thinks that the division of Jerusalem will bring peace in the Middle East is making a bad mistake. The division of sovereignty in Jerusalem is a recipe for continued conflict and instability in the region." Speaker Rivlin made the comments Wednesday during a meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi.
Although Jerusalem is Israel's official capital, many countries, the United States included, have their official embassies in Tel Aviv instead. The US and some other countries maintain consulates in Jerusalem. Various US administrations have floated the idea of officially recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The Palestinian Authority has maintained a demand for Jerusalem to be divided to create a separate PA capital in eastern neighborhoods of the city. Prior to the establishment of the PA, the Kingdom of Jordan demanded half of Jerusalem.