President Donald Trump's decision Wednesday to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem sparked reactions from Minnesota religious leaders that ranged from outrage to relief.
Many Jewish leaders were thrilled that the U.S. is finally recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital, but weren't necessarily pleased with the method.
Muslims were outraged that a top bargaining card in Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations had just been "given away."
For those evangelicals who believe the end of the world is near, the U.S. Embassy's move was yet more evidence to support the biblical prediction of the second coming of Christ.
Minnesota's mainline churches, meanwhile, expressed mixed reaction. Some supported the move, others opposed it, while still others said they did not have enough information to opine.
"I think it was a wise decision," said Rabbi Joshua Borenstein, executive director of the Torah Academy in St. Louis Park. "It's not like Jerusalem is not the capital of Israel. The Knesset [Legislature] is there." And the city was the Jewish people's ancient capital, he said.
"But every person of every faith must be treated with respect," he added.
Imam Makram El-Amin was among Muslim clerics worried about the safety of Muslims, Palestinians and other minority groups in the city with deep religious significance to Muslims, Jews and Christians.