EU rebuffs idea of recognizing Jerusalem as Netanyahu visits

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini says no European leaders plan to follow US President Donald Trump in recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Earlier, Netanyahu insisted to reporters in Brussels the move “put facts squarely on the table. Peace is based on reality.”

“Jerusalem is Israel’s capital, no one can deny it. It doesn’t obviate peace, it makes peace possible,” he said. Netanyahu added that he believed most European countries would now “move their embassies to Jerusalem, recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.”

But Mogherini says EU ministers were concerned about Trump’s move.

“We do not wish to see a discredited US administration when it comes to the negotiations in the Middle East,” she says.

As far as EU member countries relocating their embassies in Israel, Mogherini was quick to disabuse Netanyahu of the idea.

“He can keep his expectations for others, because from the European Union member states’ side, this move will not come,” she says.

— with AP