Emergency UN Security Council meeting called after Trump’s Jerusalem announcement: report

The United Nations (U.N.) Security Council will meet Friday to address President Trump’s announcement recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Reuters reported Wednesday.

Trump on Wednesday said the U.S. would recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and announced plans to move the U.S. Embassy there from Tel Aviv, a move that drew statements of concern from multiple world leaders.

Arab leaders warned the decision could doom the fragile Middle East peace process, and Palestinians called for three “days of rage” in response.

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Eight countries on the 15-member Security Council asked for a special meeting: France, Bolivia, Egypt, Italy, Senegal, Sweden, Britain and Uruguay. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to speak on Friday to address concerns.

Guterres said following Trump’s announcement that he has “consistently spoken out against any unilateral measures that would jeopardize the prospect of peace for Israelis and Palestinians.”

The militant Palestinian group Hamas said Trump’s decision “opens the gates of hell.”

British Prime Minister Theresa May called Trump’s decision “unhelpful,” while French President Emmanuel Macron said “France does not approve.” 

The U.S. Embassy in Jordan warned of potentially violent demonstrations following the announcement.