Anger over possible US recognition of Jerusalem

Vociferous Arab and Muslim opposition was building yesterday to any possible US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, as European leaders expressed concern about harm to fragile Middle East peace efforts.

Turkey threatened to cut ties with Israel, the Palestinians warned they would halt contacts with us counterparts and Saudi Arabia spoke out strongly against the step.

Saudi Arabia is crucial to White House plans to promote a possible Middle East peace deal. US president Donald Trump says he hopes to broker the “ultimate deal”. French president Emmanuel Macron said he reminded Mr Trump in a phone call on Monday night that the fate of Jerusalem should be determined in negotiations on setting up a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

Mr macron said in a statement that he expressed concern about any possible unilateral US moves and that he agreed with Mr Trump “to speak again shortly on this subject”.