France Reiterates Objection to US Embassy Move to Jerusalem

French FM Jean-Marc Ayrault addresses delegates at the opening of the Mideast peace conference in Paris.

Paris, 17 Rabiul Akhir 1438/16 January 2017 (MINA) – France has strenuously reiterated its objection to any proposed move by the US to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that would be highly provocative to Palestinians and the region, KUNA reported.

Jerusalem is slated to be the capital of a newly-formed Palestinian State when it emerges, but Israel has been gradually colonising parts of Arab East Jerusalem and making statements that the Holy City is the “eternal capital of Israel,” a position rejected by the international community.

But the incoming US President-elect, Donald Trump, said in a campaign speech that he would move the US embassy to Jerusalem after he takes office on January 20. Trump is expected to take a softer line on Israel and his predecessor.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Sunday blasted the Jerusalem embassy suggestion when he was addressing a Middle East Peace Conference in the French capital.

Ayrault warned that the US President must help “create conditions for peace” and not act in ways that would be divisive.

He said that if the US acts on Trump’s promise to move the US embassy, this would have “extremely serious consequences” and could prove to be a decision that is impossible to put in place.

The overall international community condemns Israel for settlement building in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank as this defies the Final Status talks that are planned to address the demarcation of the city.

The UN Security Council in December also condemned Israel for its settlement policies as they threaten the two-state solution being touted as the only possible solution to the decades-old conflict. (T/RS05/RS01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)