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US Embassy's Move in Israel Draws Criticism from Around the World

by VOA News

   Many of the United States' allies, along with its foes, expressed
   criticism of the U.S. decision to open its embassy in Jerusalem on
   Monday, saying it would increase tensions in the Middle East.

   "We disagree with the U.S. decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem
   and recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital" before a final peace
   agreement is reached in the Middle East, said a spokesman for British
   Prime Minister Theresa May.

   French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Monday's violence in Gaza,
   where Israeli soldiers killed 52 Palestinian civilians in clashes at
   the border. Macron said he had "warned repeatedly of the repercussions"
   of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as
   Israel's capital.

   In a statement, Macron's office said he "will speak to all the actors
   in the region in the coming days."

   Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov repeated Moscow's objection to
   the move. "We firmly believe that it is inappropriate to unilaterally
   revise the decisions of the international community in this way," he
   said.

   Many Arab leaders also condemned the move, with Lebanese Prime Minister
   Saad Hariri calling it "provocative," and Iranian Foreign Minister
   Javad Zarif describing it as "a day of great shame."

   Saudi Arabia condemned the Israeli gunfire against Palestinians in Gaza
   but did not mention the opening of the U.S. embassy.

   "Saudi Arabia strongly condemns the Israeli occupation forces' gunfire
   against unarmed Palestinian civilians which has left dozens of dead and
   wounded," a Saudi foreign ministry spokesperson said.

   Kuwait's United Nations Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi said he might ask
   the U.N. Security Council to meet over the violence in Gaza. "We
   condemn what happened, and there will be a reaction from our side, and
   we will see what the council will do," he said.

   Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a visit to London
   that the embassy move was "very, very unfortunate" and that it
   disqualified the United States from being a mediator in the Middle East
   peace process.