UK voices disagreement over Trump’s decision to move U.S. Embassy
Spokesperson for Prime Minister Theresa May says Britain has 'no plans to move' its Embassy away from Tel Aviv
Downing Street has restated Britain’s disagreement with Donald Trump’s decision to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, as protests took place ahead of Monday’s inauguration ceremony.
The formal opening of the new US embassy is to be attended by Mr Trump’s daughter Ivanka and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who both serve as White House advisers.
Mr Trump’s decision broke with a decades-old international position that diplomatic representation should remain in Tel Aviv until the final status of Jerusalem is settled as part of a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
At least two Palestinians were killed and dozens more injured as Israeli troops opened fire on demonstrators heading for the border in a protest march.
The US has said the date of inauguration was chosen to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Israel’s establishment, but it also falls at the time of annual Palestinian “nakba” commemorations to mark the uprooting of hundreds of thousands of people from their homes in 1948.
Mrs May’s official spokesman told a regular Westminster media briefing: “The Prime Minister said in December, when the announcement was first made, that we disagreed with the US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem and to recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital before a final status agreement.
“The British embassy to Israel is based in Tel Aviv and we have no plans to move it.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.