Concern rises over Jerusalem

Leaders warn of fallout with US recognition of Israeli capital

JERUSALEM: Global concern mounted ahead of an announcement by US President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, with Pope Francis joining a list of leaders warning of the potential for dangerous fallout.

The move by Trump would upend decades of careful US policy and ignore dire warnings of a historic misstep that could trigger a surge of violence in the Middle East.

A senior administration official said Trump would make the announcement from the White House.

“He will say that the United States government recognises that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel,” a senior administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“He views this as a recognition of reality, both historic reality and modern reality.”

Plunging further into a decadeslong dispute over a city considered holy by Jews, Muslims and Christians, Trump will also order planning to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

“It will take some time to find a site, to address security concerns, design a new facility, fund a new facility and build it,” the official said.

The status of Jerusalem is a critical issue in the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, with both sides claiming the city as their capital.

In a frantic series of calls, the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the European Union, France, Germany and Turkey all warned Trump against the move.

Anticipating protests, US government officials and their families have been ordered to avoid Jerusalem’s Old City and the West Bank.

Further warnings from world leaders came yesterday.

“I cannot silence my deep concern over the situation that has emerged in recent days,” Pope Francis said.

“Jerusalem is a unique city, sacred for Jews, Christians and Muslims,” he said, a day after speaking by phone with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.

The pontiff added that maintaining Jerusalem’s status quo was important “in order to avoid adding new elements of tension to an already volatile world that is wracked by so many cruel conflicts”.

British foreign minister Boris Johnson, speaking as he arrived for a Nato meeting in Brussels, said “we view the reports that we have heard with concern, because we think that Jerusalem obviously should be part of the final settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, a negotiated settlement”. — AFP