Trump is urged to show leadership in restoring peace in the Middle East
BORIS Johnson has called on Donald Trump to show “leadership” in restoring momentum to the Middle East peace process.
The Foreign Secretary’s comment came after the US President sparked waves of protest by announcing he was recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and would move the American embassy to the holy city.
Mr Trump’s announcement was described as “unhelpful” by Mr Johnson and Prime Minister Theresa
May, while Foreign
Office minister Alistair Burt said other countries would now have to come forward to fill the “trust deficit” the US had created in peace talks between Israel and Palestine.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry said the Government had been “made to look like fools” by Mr Trump (below), and that Britain needed leaders willing to “stand up to him”.
But Mr Johnson insisted that the US remained the “pre-eminent power” able to exert influence on the Middle East peace process and claimed there was now an opportunity for progress to be made.
Answering questions after a speech at the Foreign Office in London, Mr Johnson said: “I think, this decision having been announced by President Trump, the world would like to see some serious announcements by the US about how they see the Middle East peace process and how to bring the two sides together.
“I think that’s what we all want to see. If we are going to have a move of the US Embassy, then let’s also see some moves towards the long overdue resolution of the Middle East peace process.”
Mr Johnson stressed the Government stuck by its position that the status of Jerusalem must be resolved as part of a negotiated settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.
He added: “I view premature recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moves of embassies as not helpful in this context.
“It’s something we want to do but it cannot be done until you have progress towards a twostate solution.
“I don’t think it’s the right thing to do.”
Several people were injured across the West Bank and Gaza Strip after protests against Mr Trump’s decision turned violent.
Schools and shops across the Palestinian Territories were
shuttered yes- terday as young men in several cities including Ramallah and Bethlehem took to the streets in demonstrations against the move.
Hundreds of extra Israeli troops were dispatched to occupied areas, with minor clashes breaking out at checkpoints and in city centres.
Palestinians threw rocks and other projectiles and set tires on fire as Israeli troops reportedly fired tear gas, rubber bullets and live bullets to disperse crowds.
The Israeli Ministry denied live fire had been used.
The Palestinian Red Crescent said that 17 people had been lightly injured as a result of tear gas inhalation and one person was in a critical condition after being hit by live fire.
Hamas’ leader Ismail Haniyeh called on the Palestinian people to rise up in a new intifada.
“We should call for and we should work on launching an intifada in the face of the Zionist enemy,” he said in a speech from Gaza. “This will not stop until the liberation of Jerusalem and the West Bank.”
Palestinian and Israeli civilians, as well as the Israeli armed forces, are bracing themselves for Hamas’ declared ‘Day of Rage’ today.