Erdogan phones leaders over US move on Jerusalem

By Mumin Altas

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday made phone calls to leaders of Iran, Tunisia and Malaysia over an expected U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

According to a presidential source, Erdogan told Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, Tunisian president Beji Caid Essebsi, and Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak, that the move would "disrupt peace process in the Middle East".

Trump is expected to formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital on Wednesday and begin preparations to move the U.S. Embassy to the city, three senior administration officials confirmed to Anadolu Agency, late Tuesday.

Palestinians, Arab and Muslim countries warn that a unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital would "unleash widespread public anger" and deal a death knee to the peace process.

During his election campaign last year, Trump repeatedly promised to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Jerusalem remains at the core of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- currently occupied by Israel -- might eventually serve as the capital of a future Palestinian state.