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Jerusalem: Turkey warns Trump against crossing 'red line' Jerusalem: Turkey warns Trump against crossing 'red line'
(about 2 hours later)
Turkey's president has warned it could sever ties with Israel if the US recognises Jerusalem as its capital.Turkey's president has warned it could sever ties with Israel if the US recognises Jerusalem as its capital.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said such a move would cross a "red line" for Muslims.Recep Tayyip Erdogan said such a move would cross a "red line" for Muslims.
A growing number of countries have urged Donald Trump not to make his anticipated announcement. Donald Trump called world leaders on Tuesday amid a growing chorus of warnings against taking the step.
Reports say the president will dramatically shift the US position on the status of Jerusalem this week. Its fate is one of the thorniest issues between Israel and the Palestinians.Reports say the president will dramatically shift the US position on the status of Jerusalem this week. Its fate is one of the thorniest issues between Israel and the Palestinians.
"Mr Trump! Jerusalem is a red line for Muslims," Mr Erdogan said in a televised speech on Tuesday. Israel has always regarded it as its capital city, while the Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
"We could go as far as cutting diplomatic ties with Israel over the issue." If Washington recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital, it would be the first country to do so since the foundation of the state in 1948.
Donald Trump missed a deadline on Monday to sign a waiver which would postpone moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a campaign pledge he has delayed fulfilling. What did Turkey say?
If Washington recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital, it would be the first country to do so since the foundation of the state in 1948. Israel has always regarded it as its capital city, while the Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. In a televised speech, Mr Erdogan addressed the US president directly, saying "Mr Trump! Jerusalem is a red line for Muslims.
"We could go as far as cutting diplomatic ties with Israel over the issue," he added
Turkey and Israel restored diplomatic relations last year, six years after Turkey severed ties in protest at the killing of nine pro-Palestinian Turkish activists in clashes with Israeli commandos on board a ship trying to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza.Turkey and Israel restored diplomatic relations last year, six years after Turkey severed ties in protest at the killing of nine pro-Palestinian Turkish activists in clashes with Israeli commandos on board a ship trying to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza.
Israeli minister Naftali Bennett rebuffed the Turkish president, saying: "Unfortunately, Erdogan does not miss an opportunity to attack Israel.Israeli minister Naftali Bennett rebuffed the Turkish president, saying: "Unfortunately, Erdogan does not miss an opportunity to attack Israel.
"There will always be those who criticise, but at the end of the day it is better to have a united Jerusalem than Erdogan's sympathy.""There will always be those who criticise, but at the end of the day it is better to have a united Jerusalem than Erdogan's sympathy."
The White House said Mr Trump was holding calls with world leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, a day before his anticipated announcement.
What is so contentious about Jerusalem's status?What is so contentious about Jerusalem's status?
The status of Jerusalem goes to the heart of Israel's conflict with the Palestinians, who are backed by the rest of the Arab and wider Islamic world.The status of Jerusalem goes to the heart of Israel's conflict with the Palestinians, who are backed by the rest of the Arab and wider Islamic world.
The city is home to key religious sites sacred to Judaism, Islam and Christianity, especially in East Jerusalem.The city is home to key religious sites sacred to Judaism, Islam and Christianity, especially in East Jerusalem.
Israel occupied the sector, previously occupied by Jordan, in the 1967 Middle East war and regards the entire city as its indivisible capital.Israel occupied the sector, previously occupied by Jordan, in the 1967 Middle East war and regards the entire city as its indivisible capital.
The Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state, and according to 1993 Israel-Palestinian peace accords, its final status is meant to be discussed in the latter stages of peace talks.The Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state, and according to 1993 Israel-Palestinian peace accords, its final status is meant to be discussed in the latter stages of peace talks.
Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem has never been recognised internationally, and all countries, including Israel's closest ally the US, maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv.Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem has never been recognised internationally, and all countries, including Israel's closest ally the US, maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv.
Since 1967, Israel has built a dozen settlements, home to about 200,000 Jews, in East Jerusalem. These are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.Since 1967, Israel has built a dozen settlements, home to about 200,000 Jews, in East Jerusalem. These are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.
If the US recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital, it will put it out-of-step with the rest of the international community and reinforce Israel's position that settlements in the east are valid Israeli communities.If the US recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital, it will put it out-of-step with the rest of the international community and reinforce Israel's position that settlements in the east are valid Israeli communities.
What has been the international reaction?What has been the international reaction?
French President Emmanuel Macron told Donald Trump he is "concerned" the US leader could unilaterally recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, saying any decision on its status must be "within the framework of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians".French President Emmanuel Macron told Donald Trump he is "concerned" the US leader could unilaterally recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, saying any decision on its status must be "within the framework of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians".
The European Union, part of the so-called Middle East Quartet of mediators which includes the US, the UN and Russia, warned of "serious repercussions on public opinion in large parts of the world".The European Union, part of the so-called Middle East Quartet of mediators which includes the US, the UN and Russia, warned of "serious repercussions on public opinion in large parts of the world".
Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit warned it would be "a dangerous measure that would have repercussions".Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit warned it would be "a dangerous measure that would have repercussions".
Saudi Arabia said such a move before a final settlement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would "have a detrimental impact on the peace process".Saudi Arabia said such a move before a final settlement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would "have a detrimental impact on the peace process".
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has urged world leaders to intervene, saying "such a US decision would destroy the peace process".Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has urged world leaders to intervene, saying "such a US decision would destroy the peace process".
Jordan, custodian of Islamic sites in Jerusalem, has warned of "grave consequences".Jordan, custodian of Islamic sites in Jerusalem, has warned of "grave consequences".