President Donald Trump holds up the proclamation announcing US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Photo: Reuters / Kevin Lamarque.

JNS.org – President Donald Trump on Tuesday thanked the mayor of the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Yam for naming a park after him in honor of the recent US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Mayor David Even Tzur made the gesture a day after Trump’s Dec. 6 announcement of the US policy change. In a letter to Tzur dated Dec. 13, Trump called Israel “one of our most steadfast allies and an oasis of hope, democracy, and prosperity in the Middle East.”

“Thank you for this great honor,” Trump wrote. “It was a distinct pleasure to visit Israel during my first international trip as President of the United States….I am thankful for your gesture and am moved to know that the people of Israel are encouraged by my decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”

Upon announcing the establishment of the new “Donald Trump Park,” Tzur commended the American leader for taking “a brave and unprecedented step that none of his predecessors were willing to take.”

“Jerusalem is a dream that is present in every Jew’s heart and Trump’s decision gives this dream clear international recognition,” Tzur stated.