European Union and Arab League countries insist that Jerusalem must be the joint capital of Israel and a future Palestinian state, as the U.S. prepares to move its embassy there in a step angering the Arab world.
The U.S. State Department announced Friday that it plans to open the Jerusalem embassy in May to coincide with Israel's 70th Independence Day celebrations.
Speaking after talks Monday between EU and Arab League foreign ministers, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that the "special status and character of the city must be preserved."
She said the EU and the pan-Arab bloc also "see eye to eye" that there can only be a two-state solution to the conflict, with Israel and the Palestinians living side by side in peace.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he intends to hold a state ceremony in honor of the relocation of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
At a meeting of Likud ministers on Monday, Netanyahu said government ministers, lawmakers and high-ranking diplomatic officials will be invited to the ceremony.
