France’s Macron criticizes Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday criticized President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

“Jerusalem: France does not approve the US decision. France supports the Two-State Solution, Israel and Palestine, living in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States,” Macron said in a statement.

“We must prefer appeasement and dialogue”

“Jerusalem: France does not approve the US decision. France supports the Two-State Solution, Israel and Palestine, living in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States. We must prefer appeasement and dialogue”
➖ President Emmanuel Macron https://t.co/mN7rzqbj0o

— France Diplomacy (@francediplo_EN) December 6, 2017

{mosads}Macron has in the past called for a two-state solution.

Trump on Wednesday recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and announced plans to relocate the U.S. Embassy there. 

“I have determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” Trump said during a speech in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House.

Trump has vowed to broker a historic peace accord between Israel and the Palestinians. He said that past approaches to resolve one of history’s oldest conflicts, such as delaying the recognition, have not worked.

“It would be folly to assume that repeating the exact same formula would now produce a different or better result,” he said, calling his announcement “a long-overdue step to advance the peace process and work towards a lasting agreement.”

Arab and European leaders warned that formally recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital would push peace talks further off track. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded the recognition as a “historic day” and an “important step toward peace.”

Other European leaders questioned the decision.

Macron and Trump have in the past clashed on policies including Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate accord.