Washington’s Traditional Allies Condemn Trump’s Quds Move
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Washington’s traditional allies slammed US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize al-Quds (Jerusalem) as Israel’s capital as “unhelpful”, calling on him to respect internationally agreed parameters.
Following Trump’s announcement on Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council met on Friday at the request of eight of the 15 members - Britain, France, Sweden, Bolivia, Uruguay, Italy, Senegal and Egypt.
On Wednesday, Trump announced US recognition of Quds as Israel’s capital as well as plans to relocate the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Quds.
In a joint statement after the meeting, Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and Italy said the US decision was “unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region.”
“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,” they said. “We encourage the US Administration to now bring forward detailed proposals for an Israel-Palestinian settlement.”
Egypt’s UN Ambassador Amr Aboulatta said the US decision would have “a grave, negative impact” on the peace process.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley claimed that Washington has credibility as a mediator with both Israel and the Palestinians and accused the United Nations of damaging rather than advancing peace prospects with unfair attacks on Israel.
“Israel will never be, and should never be, bullied into an agreement by the United Nations, or by any collection of countries that have proven their disregard for Israel’s security,” Haley said.
However, Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour told the emergency meeting that Washington's new decision "undermines and essentially disqualifies its leadership role to seek peace in the region."
He argued that the US cannot continue to monopolize the peace process as Washington is biased in favor of Israel and urged the Security Council to denounce what he described as an "irresponsible" US decision.
A UN Security Council resolution adopted in December last year “underlines that it will not recognize any changes to the 4 June 1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties through negotiations.”
That resolution was approved with 14 votes in favor and an abstention by former US President Barack Obama’s administration, which defied heavy pressure from long-time ally Israel and Trump, who was then president-elect, for Washington to wield its veto.
