'Loving Jerusalem not a provocation. It's part of being Jewish'

MK Sharren Haskel (Likud) dismissed allegations that President Trump's decision to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem was a "provocation", noting that similar charges could have been said during formative events throughout Jewish history.

"My grandfather used to drive the heavy vehicles that would bring food and ammunition to the Jewish community in Jerusalem. Was that a provocation as well?" asked Haskel at the "Salute to Jerusalem" Arutz Sheva Conference on Tuesday.

"We can even go back to the long history of the Jews," continued Haskel. "The rebellion of the Hasmoneans- why would the Jewish people want to rebel against Rome or the Greeks? Was that a provocation as well?"

"Throughout history, anything the Jews did would be called a provocation, and that was an excuse to hate or prosecute the Jewish people. Why did they do that? Why did they decide to put Jerusalem as the center of Judaism?"

According to Haskel, "moving the embassy is not a provocation. It is simply called to be Jewish. To be Jewish means a set of values and Jerusalem."