European Union leadership rejects Jerusalem recognition
LONDON — Emboldened by President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Benjamin Netanyahu paid the first visit to the European Union headquarters by an Israeli prime minister in 22 years Monday to seek similar endorsement from the 28-nation bloc.
The answer, though, was clear: no.
The bloc’s members are not unified in their attitudes toward Israel, but the EU’s official position is that it supports what Federica Mogherini, its foreign policy chief, called the “international consensus” from which Trump departed last week when he announced a reversal of decades of U.S. diplomacy.
The European Union, she said, remains committed to a two-state settlement for the Israelis and the Palestinians, with “Jerusalem as the capital of both.” The bloc is the biggest provider of aid to the Palestinians.
Both Netanyahu and European officials referred to White House plans to begin a new effort for peace in the Middle East that is being led by Trump’s son-in-law and senior aide, Jared Kushner. The Israeli leader also expressed optimism that other countries would follow the U.S. move on Jerusalem.
Netanyahu said in a statement that recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital “doesn’t obviate peace, it makes peace possible, because recognizing reality is the substance of peace, it’s the foundation of peace.”