Serbia, Albania, Romania and Macedonia were among just 32 countries represented at the opening of the United States embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, held against a backdrop of violence as dozens of people died when Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian protesters.
Of the four, Serbia, Albania and Macedonia had voted at the United Nations General Assembly in December to reject Washington’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Romania was one of five European Union member states to abstain in that vote. Joining forces with Hungary and the Czech Republic, Romania last week blocked a statement by the full 28-member EU to condemn the U.S. embassy move, deepening a row with President Klaus Iohannis.
Iohannis on Tuesday summoned Prime Minister Viorica Dancila to explain the government’s policy, warning that “any change in the balanced stance Romania has adopted until now would only spark anxiety and unease.”
The decision by U.S. President Donald Trump has incensed Palestinians who claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Fifty-eight people were killed and 2,700 wounded as Palestinians protested at Israel’s security fence along Gaza’s eastern border and Israeli forces opened fire.
Aljazeera reported on Tuesday that all 86 countries with diplomatic missions in Israel were invited to the embassy inauguration. Thirty-two confirmed attendance.
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