EU envoys issue declaration on status of Jerusalem

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Europe

Ambassadors of European Union (EU) countries to the United Nations issued a joint declaration on Friday to show their disapproval of US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and to call for calm in the Middle East.

"We disagree with the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to begin preparation to move the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. It is not in line with Security Council resolutions and is unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region," reads the declaration by the ambassadors of Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden.

The declaration was read out by the ambassadors in French and English versions after a Security Council emergency meeting on the issue of Jerusalem.

The United Nations Security Council begins a meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestine, at the UN Headquarters in New York, US, December 8, 2017. /Reuters Photo‍

All countries but Germany are currently on the Security Council with Britain and France being permanent members.

"The status of Jerusalem must be determined through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians leading to a final status agreement," the declaration reads.

"It is a constant position of EU members that, within this framework, Jerusalem should ultimately be the capital of both Israeli and Palestinian states. Until then, we recognize no sovereignty over Jerusalem," it added.

Given the volatile situation on the ground, the ambassadors called on all parties and all regional stakeholders to work together to maintain calm.

The ambassadors asked the United States to bring forward detailed proposals for an Israel-Palestinian settlement as Washington claims to be committed to peace in the region.

People burn a t-shirt depicting an American flag during a protest against Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, outside the US Embassy in Athens, Greece, December 8, 2017. /Reuters Photo‍

"We note the commitment made by President Trump to support a two-state solution if agreed to by both sides and his clear acknowledgment that the specific boundaries of the Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem must be subject to negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians."

"We stand ready to contribute to all credible efforts to restart the peace process on the basis of internationally agreed parameters, leading to a two-state solution. We encourage the US administration to now bring forward detailed proposals for an Israel-Palestinian settlement," the declaration said.

At the Security Council meeting, the ambassadors of Britain, France, Italy and Sweden all spoke against the US decision.

Trump's declaration on Wednesday triggered wide criticism and opposition from Arab and Muslim countries.

Palestinians held protests on Friday in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem over the US move. At least two Palestinian was killed during clashes with Israeli soldiers.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency