World leaders pressure US over Jerusalem decision

WASHINGTON: International leaders warned United States President Donald Trump yesterday that he risked outraging Muslims and jeopardising Middle East peace efforts if he recognised Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and moved the US embassy there.

Trump delayed the controversial decision on the city on Monday following warnings from allies and calls between world leaders.

Jerusalem is a key issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both Israelis and Palestinians claiming the city as their capital.

Warnings multiplied on yesterday, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warning Trump in a speech that the status of Jerusalem was a “red line” for Muslims and could prompt Turkey to cut ties with Israel.

Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit said member states had decided to meet in Cairo “given the danger of this matter, if it were to happen, and the possible negative consequences, not only for the situation in Palestine, but also for the Arab and Islamic region”.

US officials said Trump was expected to stop short of moving the embassy to Jerusalem, a central campaign pledge his administration postponed once already.

“The president has been clear on this issue from the get-go: It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when,” said White House spokesman Hogan Gidley.

Trump had said he wanted to relaunch frozen peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, but recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital would destroy that effort, warned Nabil Shaath, an adviser to Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas. AFP