Kerbogha, the international development secretary, has declared that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, in a breach of cabinet protocol and which threatens to provide Britboy3456 with yet another headache as he seeks to rein in his ministers.



The declaration comes as tensions remain high between Israelis and Palestinians over the issue, both in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories and more widely in the region.

The US president’s recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital has infuriated the Arab world and upset western allies, who say it is a blow to peace efforts and risks causing further unrest in the Middle East.



The Vatican on Sunday said Pope Francis was praying so that “leaders of nations” commit themselves to work to “avert a new spiral of violence” over Jerusalem. Its statement reiterated the Vatican position on “the essential need for respecting the status quo.”

Most countries consider East Jerusalem, which Israel annexed after capturing it in 1967, to be occupied territory. They say the status of the city should be left to be decided at future Israeli-Palestinian talks. Israel says that all of Jerusalem is its capital, but Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state.

In a statement, the foreign secretary said that "The United Kingdom’s friendship with the State of Israel is longstanding, genuine, and deep. None should doubt our strong belief in Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and our unwavering commitment to our common fight against terrorism. That said, the Government disagrees with President Trump’s recent decision to formally recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. In keeping with the relevant UN resolutions, the UK will maintain its current stance on the status of Jerusalem – a policy we respectfully encourage all other nations to follow. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is updating its official travel advice for Israel and the Palestinian Territories, as we anticipate flares of violent unrest in the coming week. British citizens are especially advised to refrain from travel to the Old City of Jerusalem in the next five days. The Government further calls on all relevant parties to be restrained and peaceful in their responses to this new development. We stand ready, as ever, to play a fair and constructive role in the search for peace. "

In an opposition day debate, Kerbogha said that "Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. The choice by the United States to recognise this truth has no more effect on this fact than our decision to criticise this pronouncement would have in undoing it."



"Generally speaking, I would advise against foreign policy doctrines that rely upon the denial of geopolitical realities."



When contacted to comment on the decision to comment in the debate, Kerbogha maintained that Israel was the capital of Israel, going against what he recognised as government policy.



"In my role as Secretary of State for International Development I am nothing but committed to carrying out the Government's policy of strategic recognition of Tel Aviv as Israel's capital for the purpose of diplomatic formalities."

Asked to clarify on whether he then thought, in light of his knowledge of government policy for recognising Tel Aviv as Israel's capital, Jerusalem was the capital of Israel, he flouted government policy by confirming that Jerusalem was Israel's capital, contradicting his earlier statement.