'No plans' to move UK embassy to Jerusalem: spokesman

"The PM said in December when the announcement was first made that we disagree with the US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem and recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital before a final status agreement. The British embassy to Israel is based in Tel Aviv and we have no plans to move it," the spokesman told a group of reporters.

Trump announced his Jerusalem decision in December, triggering applause from Israel's right-wing premier Binyamin Netanyahu.

The move was widely criticised by officials worldwide and led to an effective Palestinian boycott of Washington.

Under international law, East Jerusalem is recognised as occupied Palestinian territory. European officials along with decades of US policy maintained that the status of Jerusalem would be determined as part of a final agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

May's spokesman's comments came on the same day the US is due to open its embassy in Jerusalem, which has triggered mass Palestinian protests.

Monday's opening will be attended by Trump's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who both serve as White House advisers. Kushner leads the Trump Mideast team. 

Israeli military forces opened fire on Palestinian demonstrators in Gaza on Monday ahead of the controversial inauguration. At least 37 have died after Israeli forces opened live fire on unarmed Palestinians. 

Earlier, Israeli army jets dropped leaflets over Gaza warning that those approaching the border fence would "jeopardise" their lives.

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