Global Geo-political Series: World leaders react angrily to Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

United States’ President Donald Trump’s unilateral recognition of the city of Jerusalem as Israel capital is being met with angry reactions from world leaders, drawing strong criticism in the Middle East and elsewhere. Yesterday, President Trump announced the decision and added that he has directed the U.S. state department to move the American embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.    

Here is how the world leaders are reacting,

• Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian Authority President denounced Trump’s decision and stated that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Palestine.
• Michel Aoun, Lebanon's president, condemned the decision adding that it threatens the peace process and stability in the wider Middle East.
• Mohammad al-Momani, spokesperson for the Jordanian government called the decision illegal as it consolidates Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem.
• Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's foreign minister, said that Trump's decision was a "death sentence" for all who seek peace and "a dangerous escalation".
• The French president, Emmanuel Macron, said on Twitter that France doesn't approve of the decision and supports the two-state solution, Israel, and Palestine, living in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.
• Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s office said in a statement that it noted the U.S. decision with grave concern since the decision alters the legal and historical status of the city and such a step constitutes a clear violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions.
• UK’s Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted, “Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, including occupied Palestinian territory, is a reckless threat to peace. The British Government must condemn this dangerous act and work for a just and viable settlement of the conflict.”
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "protecting the current status of Jerusalem is very important and it is important that the Islamic world act as one".
• Federica Mogherini, foreign policy chief of the European Union, said the EU has "serious concern about today’s announcement by the United States President Trump on Jerusalem and the repercussions this may have on the prospect of peace".
• UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, expressed disagreement with Trump's decision.

While rest of the world united in condemning Trump, Israeli leaders were elated by the decision.