Turkey warns to cut diplomatic ties with Israel over US recognition of Jerusalem as capital

The US potential move to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital could prompt the cutting of Turkey's diplomatic relations with Israel, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

"This could go as far as cutting our diplomatic relations with Israel. You cannot take such a step," Erdogan told a parliamentary group meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

He warned Washington that Jerusalem is a "red line" for Muslims, adding Ankara will take measures in the event of a possible US move, including convening the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul.

The Turkish government spokesperson Bekir Bozdag also warned the US move to recognize Jerusalem as Israeli capital would be a "disaster" for the region, which will lead to new conflicts.

Last week the US President Donald Trump was reportedly mulling the imminent relocation of the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and formal recognition of the city as Israel's capital.