Europe and Turkey threaten serious consequences if Trump recognises Jerusalem capital of Israel

Donald Trump appears to have avoided a deadline for signing a United States law demanding that its embassy move to Jerusalem, in an act for one of the most severe issues of the Middle East.

According to Palestinian diplomats and officials, the initial deadline was expected to fall Friday at midnight and was postponed for Monday. This deadline goes without a notice after a White House official said no action would be taken Monday, reports The Guardian”, Periscope broadcast.

Amid growing concern about Trump's intentions, the US president is facing increasing criticism of warnings of possible consequences on a unilateral US decision regarding the status of Jerusalem.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described Jerusalem's status as a <x0-line red” for Muslims that could lead to a break in diplomatic relations with Israel, while the European Union warned of the potential “serious consequences”.

Saudi Arabia, which is enjoying a discrete warming of relations with Israel, warned that it would not take any steps that would prevent the ongoing efforts to revive the <x0-> peace process.

Some reports suggest Trump can announce that he plans to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This latest move will result in Palestinian leadership “halting contacts” with the US, said a diplomatic adviser to President Mahmoud Abbas.

Jerusalem's status is a key issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both sides claiming the city is the capital of both respective states.

All foreign embassies are located at Tel Aviv with consular representation in Jerusalem. For more than two decades, successive administrations have signed a delayed legal removal with six months of plans to move the American Embassy to the holy city.

“If the status of Jerusalem is changed and another step has been taken... this would be a major disaster,” Deputy Turkish Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Monday. “would completely destroy the fragile peace process in the region and lead to new conflicts, new disputes and new unrest”.

Arab League leader Abul Gheit warned that any such action would pose a threat “to the stability of the Middle East and the entire world”, while French President Emmanuel Macron warned Trump that Jerusalem's status should be placed “within the framework of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians “.

The danger feeling over the issue was highlighted by a Washington Post report that a classified memorandum was sent to embassies in the Middle East warning of the danger of anti-American protests over an embassy report.

Internal politics could promote Trump in recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in a gesture towards conservative voters and donors.

Amid the White House internal disagreement, some American administration officials were unable or unwilling to say with certainty what Trump would decide. The president will make his decision”, said his envoy of peace in the Middle East and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kouchner.

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman asked Trump to understand a “historic option”. /Periscopi/