The UN coordinator for the Middle East peace process on Friday warned Security Council members of a risk of "violent escalation" as emergency talks opened over US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Trump, breaking with decades of US policy, on Wednesday announced his decision to officially recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and to move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv.
"I am particularly concerned about the potential risk of violent escalation," the UN envoy, Nikolay Mladenov, told Security Council members via videolink from Jerusalem, at the start of their talks.
Trump's action has drawn expressions of concern and disapproval from US allies, who are worried about its impact on the region's stability and prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Asked what he expected to come from the UN meeting, one diplomat said: "Nothing."
Another said the session would show US "isolation" on the issue.
The UN coordinator for the Middle East peace process on Friday warned Security Council members of a risk of “violent escalation” as emergency talks opened over US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Trump, breaking with decades of US policy, on Wednesday announced his decision to officially recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and to move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv.
“I am particularly concerned about the potential risk of violent escalation,” the UN envoy, Nikolay Mladenov, told Security Council members via videolink from Jerusalem, at the start of their talks.
Trump’s action has drawn expressions of concern and disapproval from US allies, who are worried about its impact on the region’s stability and prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Asked what he expected to come from the UN meeting, one diplomat said: “Nothing.”
Another said the session would show US “isolation” on the issue.
