Europe rejects Trump's Jerusalem move

BRUSSELS - 12 December 2017: European foreign ministers have strongly rejected calls by Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, for them to follow Donald Trump’s example and recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, The Guardian reported on Monday.

Opposition from across the European spectrum came as Netanyahu made the first official trip to the EU by a sitting Israeli premier in 22 years.

Sweden’s top diplomat, Margot Wallstrom, said after the meeting "I have a hard time seeing that any other country would do that and I don’t think any other EU country will do it."

The EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, reiterated the bloc’s commitment to a two-state solution, telling Netanyahu it would continue to recognize the international consensus on Jerusalem. The EU would increase its peace efforts and hold talks with the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, next month, she said.