Israel: Talks going with 10 countries to move embassies to Jerusalem

Israel, Dec 26: Israel is in touch with "at least ten countries" over the possible transfer of their embassies to Jerusalem after the United States recognised the city as Israel’s capital, a deputy minister has said.

"We are in contact with at least ten countries, some of them in Europe" to discuss the move, deputy foreign minister Tzipi Hotovely told public radio on Monday.

She spoke a day after Guatemala said it would move its embassy to the city, a move slammed by Palestinian officials as "shameful".

Hotovely said US President Donald Trump's statement would "trigger a wave" of such moves.

"So far we have only seen the beginning," she said.

Hotovely did not name the countries in question, but public radio cited Israeli diplomatic sources as saying Honduras, the Philippines, Romania and South Sudan are among states considering such a move.