- May and Trump have not spoken about Jerusalem despite the PM’s commitment
- She told MPs that the call would take place after Trump announced the move
- The decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is in defiance of UK policy
Theresa May has still not spoken to Donald Trump about his controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital almost two weeks after announcing a call.
Downing Street was today forced to deny the Prime Minister was being snubbed by the White House.
But Mrs May’s spokesman was unable to confirm when – or if – the call would take place when challenged this morning.
The controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem and move the US embassy flouts international consensus and has triggered angry protests.
Theresa May has still not spoken to Donald Trump (pictured together in May) about his controversial decision to move the US Israeli embassy to Jerusalem almost two weeks after announcing a call
It emerged last week Mr Trump is likely to finally visit the UK for the first time as President in February to officially open the new American embassy
Mrs May and Mr Trump have not officially spoken since November 1, despite the PM’s earlier desperate efforts to build ties with the controversial Republican.
Mrs May has sent Mr Trump a Christmas card – but no reply has yet been announced.
She took the unusual step of revealing plans for the call during Prime Minister’s Questions on December 6 at the height of criticism of the President’s decision.
Her announcement came just days after Mr Trump sparked huge diplomatic row by re-tweeting videos from the far right Britain First Group.
Her spokesman was challenged on when the call would take place at a Westminster briefing today.
Asked if the failure to schedule a call was a snub, the spokesman said: ‘I would not see it like that at all.
‘We will let you know when they have spoken.’
At PMQs a day before after the controversial decision, Mrs May said: ‘I’m intending to speak to President Trump about this matter.
‘Our position has not changed, it has been a long standing one and it is also a very clear one.
‘It is that the status of Jerusalem should be determined in a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and Jerusalem should ultimately form a shared capital between the Israeli and Palestinian states.’
It emerged last week Mr Trump is likely to finally visit the UK for the first time as President in February to officially open the new American embassy.
The trip will be met with a storm of protests and comes ahead of a planned state visit which has been repeatedly postponed.
Mrs May’s announcement of a planned call came just days after Mr Trump sparked huge diplomatic row by re-tweeting videos from the far right Britain First Group. The first video depicted ‘Muslim migrant’ according to Jayda Fransen, beating up a ‘Dutch boy on crutches’