French Foreign Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, says that if the U.S. moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, it would be a provocation that would have “extremely serious consequences”.
Ayrault was speaking at a conference in Paris on the Middle East, which gathered more than 70 countries and organisations other than the Israelis or Palestinians to try to revitalise support for a two-state solution.
The minister said he thought U.S. President-elect Donald Trump would not be able to make the move, which was indicated by his pick for Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, on the day of this nomination.
He chided Trump over his pledge to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“Of course (it’s a provocation). I think he would not be able to do it.
“It would have extremely serious consequences and it’s not the first time that it’s on the agenda of a U.S. President, but none have let themselves make that decision.
“One cannot have such a clear-cut, unilateral position. You have to create the conditions for peace,” he added.
Foreign ministers from around 70 nations had gathered in Paris Sunday in an attempt to urge Israeli and Palestinian leaders to recommit to the so-called two-state solution.
Representatives from the United Nations, European Union, Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation were also in attendance.
However, neither Israel nor the Palestinians had any representation at the conference.
