Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appealed to allies in Europe to join the US in recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital, but was rebuffed by foreign ministers who said it would harm the peace process.

Mr Netanyahu met with EU leaders in Brussels on Monday and told them it was time they “recognised the facts”, in a first visit by an Israeli head of government to the Belgian city in 22 years.

The Israeli premier said the bloc should follow the lead of President Donald Trump, who last week announced he would move Washington's embassy from Tel Aviv to the contested city.