Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday thanked President Donald Trump for his “historic decision” to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, saying it will advance peace in the Middle East.

“President Trump, thank you for today’s historic decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital,” Netanyahu said in a video statement. “The Jewish people and the Jewish state will be forever grateful.”

Netanyahu noted that Jerusalem “has been the capital of the Jewish people for 3,000 years” and the capital of Israel for nearly 70 years, describing how the city has been the focus of the Jewish people’s “hopes, dreams, and prayers” for three millennia.

Netanyahu’s comments came shortly after Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, calling the move an “overdue step” for peace efforts between the Jewish state and the Palestinians. Trump also said that he is directing the State Department to make preparations to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.