Israeli PM Netanyahu (R) and Guatamalan President Jimmy Morales at the meeting in Jerusalem on November 29, 2017. (Photo: Times of India/VNA)

He said in a statement that several countries will move their embassies to Jerusalem, calling it an important start.

The same day, the Palestinian foreign ministry said Guatemala's bid to move its embassy to Jerusalem is a shameful and illegal act that goes against the wishes of church leaders in Jerusalem and a UN General Assembly resolution that condemns the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Pope Francis used his Christmas message to call for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He called on Israel and Palestine to resume a dialogue to reach a negotiated solution which will allow the peaceful coexistence of two states within mutually agreed and internationally recognised borders.