Traditional US allies in the UN Security Council including Britain, France, Sweden, Italy and Japan have criticised President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
At an emergency council meeting on Friday on the impact of Mr Trump’s announcement, Britain’s UN ambassador Matthew Rycroft called the US decision “unhelpful to peace”.
The UK proudly stands by our long-held position that #Jerusalem is a topic for a final status agreement. We’ve said it time and again and this morning’s meeting is no exception. pic.twitter.com/ITRN2qPWQL
— Matthew Rycroft (@MatthewRycroft1) December 8, 2017
Sweden’s UN ambassador Olof Skoog said the US action “contradicts international law and Security Council resolutions”, stressing that Jerusalem’s status is to be decided in direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
French ambassador Francois Delattre expressed regret at the US decision, citing legal grounds, its impact on efforts to reach a two-state solution and the potential escalation of violence.
We asked for emergency meeting of UNSC today to respond to US unilateral decision on Jerusalem. It risks fueling tensions and increasing instability in an already volatile and turbulent region. Call for calm, restraint and for all to refrain from violence. #USNC
— Olof Skoog (@OlofBSkoog) December 8, 2017
He said the United States must explain how Mr Trump’s action aligns with the legal foundation “on which all peace efforts are based”.
Sebastiano Cardi, from Italy, said Jerusalem’s status must be negotiated and expressed serious concern at “the risk of unrest and tensions in the region” while Japan’s ambassador Koro Bessho said his government opposes “any unilateral measures” and feared the heightened tensions on the ground, saying violence “can easily snowball into larger crises”.
#UNSC
We believe the status of #Jerusalem as the future capital of two States needs to be negotiated between #Israel & #Palestine,within the framework of a #peace process that will eventually lead to the establishment of #TwoStateSolution,living side by side in peace & security. pic.twitter.com/W00BWjlWAW— Sebastiano Cardi (@sebastianocardi) December 8, 2017
The council meeting was held after a man was killed and dozens more were wounded in skirmishes between Israeli forces and protesters along Gaza’s border with Israel.
Mohammed Al-Masri, 30, died after being struck by live fire east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, the Palestinian health ministry said.
More than 35 Palestinians were injured, two seriously, it added.
It was the first death since clashes erupted across the Palestinian territories after Mr Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The Israeli military said in a statement that during clashes along the border fence, soldiers “fired selectively at two main instigators” and confirmed hitting them.
