Emmanuel Macron Warns Trump Over Plan to Recognize Al-Quds as Israel’s Capital

Emmanuel Macron Warns Trump Over Plan to Recognize Al-Quds as Israel’s Capital
Tue Dec 5, 2017 10:55:36

President Trump’s plan to recognize Al-Quds as the capital of Israel ran into mounting resistance abroad on Monday, with France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, warning him it was a bad idea.

Mr. Macron joined leaders from Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and the Arab League in speaking out against the move, which would overturn decades of American policy. People briefed on the deliberations said Mr. Trump planned to address the issue in a speech on Wednesday, but they cautioned he could still change course.

In a phone call with the president, Mr. Macron “expressed his concern with the possibility that the United States might unilaterally recognize Al-Quds as capital of Israel,” according to a statement issued by the French government.

“Mr. Macron,” the statement said, “reaffirmed that the status of Al-Quds must be resolved through peace negotiations with Palestinians, and particularly those relating to the establishment.”

American presidents have also long taken the view that Al-Quds' status needed to be worked out by two parties. But Mr. Trump promised during the 2016 presidential campaign to move the American Embassy to Al-Quds from Tel Aviv.

string(360) "[{"id":"3193726","sort":"11318646","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"151245223579368800.jpg","title":"Trump delays announcement on whether moving U.S. embassy to Al-Quds "} ,{"id":"3193741","sort":"11318641","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"151245270869290700.jpg","title":"France suggests Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran join Contact Group on Syria - ambassador "} ]"