The U.S. officially opens its diplomatic mission in Jerusalem.  (Photo: Press TV)

Washington, December 7 (RHC)-- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has marked the anniversary of the U.S. illegal recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital.   In a tweet on Monday, the former CIA chief paid tribute to his boss, Donald Trump, for moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city three years ago.

He further branded the move as an achievement while in reality the Trump administration’s move has been censured by Palestinians, who consider al-Quds as their future capital.  “This simple recognition of reality strengthened our diplomacy efforts, our partnerships, and still today reflects our greatest hope for peace,” claimed Washington's top diplomat.

Trump sparked controversy by officially recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli ‘capital’ in December 2017, before moving the U.S. Embassy there from Tel Aviv in May 2018.

Israel lays claim to the entire Jerusalem al-Quds, but the international community views the city’s eastern sector as occupied territory and Palestinians consider it the capital of their future state.  United Nations Security Council Resolution 478, adopted on August 20, 1980, prohibits countries from establishing diplomatic missions in Jerusalem al-Quds.

Palestinians, who seek an independent state in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, with East Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital, have condemned the U.S. pro-Israel agenda.