US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman at the opening ceremony for the US embassy in Jerusalem. (Photo: Reuters)

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said 70% of the 86 foreign ambassadors in Israel refused to attend the opening ceremony. UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokesperson said the UK will not move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, stressing that London disagreed with the US’s decision.

The US decision to move its Israel embassy to Jerusalem is escalating tensions in the Middle East and putting peace further out of reach. Many countries protested the new embassy’s opening ceremony on Monday.

Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Abul Gheit criticized the countries who participated in the event, calling the move a dangerous step that violates international law and UN Security Council regulations. The Arab League will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to talk about fighting the US’s illegal action.

Palestinian Presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rdeineh called the move a provocation that creates instability in the region and ends the US’s role as a mediator in the Middle East peace process.

Egypt’s Muslim leaders denounced Wahington’s move as a provocation to the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims. Iran’s foreign ministry called for unity in the Muslim community to reject the move.

On Monday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Jerusalem’s problems must be resolved through negotiation between Israel and Palestine.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian called for responsible action by Israel and Palestine to prevent escalation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia opposes any unilateral act that changes international rules concerning Jerusalem.

The Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania blocked an EU joint statement that criticized the US move. The Czech Republic said it will open a consulate of honor in Jerusalem this month. Romania said it plans to move its embassy to Jerusalem.