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World reacts with alarm, rage to US recognition of Jerusalem

Many countries reacted with condemnation and dismissal of Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. 

By: World Israel News Staff

Leaders from around the world condemned the US and President Donald Trump for his historic recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, calling for Jerusalem’s status to be resolved by negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Eight of the 15-member United Nations Security Council (UNSC) called for an urgent meeting to discuss Trump’s decision, according to media reports.

Britain and France, two permanent UNSC members, along with Sweden, Italy, Egypt, Uruguay, Bolivia and Senegal have called for the urgent meeting, which is expected to be held on Friday.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that “Jerusalem is a final status issue that must be resolved through direct negotiations between the two parties on the basis of the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.”

“For my part as the United Nations Secretary-General, I will do everything in my power to support the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to return to meaningful negotiations and to realize this vision of a lasting peace for both people,” he stated

“In this moment of great anxiety, I want to make it clear: there is no alternative to the two-state solution. There is no Plan B,” said the UN Secretary-General.

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British Prime Minister Theresa May stated Wednesday that she views Trump’s move as “unhelpful” for peace in the region.

“We disagree with the US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem and recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital before a final status agreement. We believe it is unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region. The British Embassy to Israel is based in Tel Aviv and we have no plans to move it,” May said in a statement.

The UK’s “position on the status of Jerusalem is clear and long-standing: it should be determined in a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and Jerusalem should ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states,” she stated.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she is concerned that the US decision will increase tensions with the Palestinians, and that Australia does not intend to shift its embassy from Tel Aviv.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he disapproved of the decision to recognize Jerusalem, calling it a “unilateral decision”.

He added that France remains attached to “a solution of two states, Israeli and Palestinian, with Jerusalem as the capital for both of them.”

He also stressed that the “question of Jerusalem is a question of international security. The solution can only be found via negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians under the aegis of the UN”

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Trump a ‘Blender’ Stirring Up Trouble?

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has threatened to cut ties with Israel over the announcement, continued on Thursday his strong criticism of the US decision.

Erdogan also compared Trump to a “blender” stirring up trouble in the region.

Most Arab countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Tunisia also condemned Trump’s announcement.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi warned of “dangerous consequences” for the region’s stability and the world, calling on the US to revoke the announcement.

The Arab League decided to convene an emergency meeting on Saturday to discuss the Arab reaction to Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.