Europe rejects plea to recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital

EUROPEAN ministers yesterday rebuffed Benjamin Netanyahu’s appeal to follow the US in recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Mr Netanyahu met with EU leaders in Brussels and told them it was time they “recognised the facts”, in a first visit by an Israeli head of government to the Belgian capital in 22 years.

The Israeli premier said the bloc should follow the lead of Donald Trump, who last week announced he would move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the contested city. “It’s time that the Palestinians recognise the Jewish state and also recognise the fact that it has a capital, Jerusalem,” he said.

“I believe that, even though we don’t have an agreement yet, this is what will happen in the future. I believe that all, or most, of the European countries will move their embassies to Jerusalem, recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and engage robustly with us for security, prosperity and peace.” He added that it “doesn’t obviate peace, it makes peace possible”.

Federica Mogherini, the EU foreign policy chief, said after the closed-door meeting that Mr Netanyahu could “keep his expectations for others, because from the EU member states’ side, this move will not come”. She said that the bloc – the Palestinians’ largest donor – would stick to the “international consensus” on Jerusalem.

Margot Wallström, Sweden’s minister for foreign affairs, said no European leader voiced support for Mr Trump’s decision. Alan Duncan, the minister for Europe and the Americas, added: “We do not agree with the announcement that Jerusalem is the capital. It should have been a final status issue.”

Mr Trump’s decision has led to days of protests and clashes in the Palestinian territories, as well as demonstrations across the Islamic world, including the burning of US and Israeli flags in Jakarta, Indonesia.