Israel says 10 countries may move embassies to Jerusalem

ACTRESS HONG CHAU, on her role in ‘Downsizing’ TEL AVIV: Israel is in touch with “at least 10 countries” over the possible transfer of their embassies to Jerusalem after the United States recognised the city as Israel’s capital, a deputy minister said on Monday.

“We are in contact with at least 10 countries, some in Europe” to discuss the move, Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely told public radio.

She spoke a day after Guatemala said it would move its embassy to the city, a step slammed by Palestinian officials as “shameful”.

She said US President Donald Trump’s statement would “trigger a wave” of such moves.

“So far, we have only seen the beginning.”

She did not name the countries, but public radio cited Israeli diplomatic sources as saying Honduras, the Philippines, Romania and South Sudan were among states considering the move.

Two-thirds of United Nations member states last Thursday voted for a resolution rejecting Trump’s controversial move, reaffirming that the status of Jerusalem must be resolved through negotiations.

Israel seized eastern Jerusalem in the 1967 Six Day War and annexed it in a move not recognised by the international community.

Israelis see the whole of the city as their undivided capital, while the Palestinians view the east as the capital of their future state.

No country currently has its embassy in Jerusalem, instead keeping them in the Israeli commercial capital of Tel Aviv. AFP