Nearly all of the former US ambassadors to Israel said they were opposed to US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize the ultra-sensitive holy city of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital over concerns that the move would stoke an already tense conflict and hinder the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.

In a report by the New York Times, 9 out of the 11 former ambassadors contacted by the publication thought that the plan was “wrongheaded, dangerous or deeply flawed.”

Trump’s decision to recognize the contested city as Israel’s capital as well as relocate the US embassy from Tel Aviv has drawn sharp criticism from nearly every corner of the globe, with the significant exception of Israel.

The status of Jerusalem is a central issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both sides claiming the city as their capital.

Palestinians, who covet the eastern parts of the ancient city as the capital of their future state, denounced Trump’s declaration as having “destroyed” a two state solution and threatened to boycott an upcoming visit by US Vice President Mike Pence.

The international community does not recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, insisting the issue can only be resolved in negotiations.

This point was reiterated by UN chief Antonio Guterres, who stressed his opposition to “any unilateral measures that would jeopardize the prospect of peace”.

Source: i24NEWS