Israeli soldiers aim at Palestinian protesters during clashes after a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Dec 7, 2017. (Xinhua/Stringer)

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital is against international law and UN Security Council resolutions, Olof Skoog, the Swedish ambassador to the United Nations, said here on Friday.

"We clearly disagree with the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and with the plan for a move of the U.S. embassy (from Tel Aviv) to Jerusalem," Skoog told an emergency meeting of the Security Council, adding "It contradicts international law and UN Security Council resolutions."

In 1980, when Israel attempted to declare Jerusalem as its capital, the Security Council stated in a resolution that this was a violation of international law. The council further declared that attempts to change the character and status of Jerusalem were "null and void" and called upon all states to accept this decision as well as to withdraw their missions from Jerusalem.

All states, up to now, abided by the Security Council's call, said Skoog.

The statement by Trump does not affect the position of Sweden, the European Union or the wider international community on the status of Jerusalem, he said.

Meanwhile, Italian envoy to the United Nations told the Security Council Friday that Italy will maintain its embassy to Israel in Tel Aviv.

"We believe that the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of two States needs to be negotiated between Israel and Palestine, within the framework of a peace process that will eventually lead to the establishment of two States, living side by side in peace and security, taking into account the legitimate concerns and aspirations of both parties," Sebastiano Cardi, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations, told a Security Council meeting on Friday.

"Until that moment, Italy will continue to abide by the relevant United Nations resolutions and will maintain its Embassy to Israel in Tel Aviv," he noted.

In light of Trump's announcement, eight Council members - Bolivia, Egypt, France, Italy, Senegal, Sweden, the UK and Uruguay - called for an emergency meeting on the issue.