UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson 'concerned' over US recognition of Jerusalem

Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says he is "concerned" about US President Donald Trump's intention to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital on Wednesday.
2 min read
06 December, 2017
Boris Johnson has weighed in on the Jerusalem announcement [Getty]
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that he was concerned over US President Donald Trump's intention to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

"Let's wait and see what the president says exactly. But, you know, we view the reports that we have heard with concern because we think that Jerusalem obviously should be part of the final settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians," he told reporters in Brussels.

Senior US officials said on Tuesday that Trump will recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital on Wednesday and set in motion the relocation of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to the city.

It marks a controversial break with precedent that could provoke a significant backlash.

Trump administration officials have described the risky move as a "recognition of reality" that the city has been used as a base for many Israeli government offices.

Read more: Trump's Jerusalem decision will end all hope of Palestinian-Israeli peace

US embassies around the world have been warned to step up security measures in preparation for Trump's announcement, which will come at 1pm in Washington.

Johnson added there were no plans to move the British embassy.

Earlier on Tuesday Trump informed Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas by phone of his intention to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Abbas "warned of the dangerous consequences such a decision would have to the peace process and to the peace, security and stability of the region and of the world," a PA spokesperson said.

The move has been widely condemned in the Arab world and internationally.

A Jordanian palace statement quoted King Abdullah as telling the US president that such a decision would have "dangerous repercussions on the stability and security in the region" and would obstruct US efforts to resume Arab-Israeli peace talks.

Israel regards Jerusalem as its capital, a position nearly the entire world rejects saying its status should be determined in peace talks with the Palestinians.

East Jerusalem, which includes the Old City, is considered occupied Palestinian territory under international law.