Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Reuters / Amir Cohen.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that “at least half a dozen” countries were considering moving their embassies to Jerusalem following the US decision to do so.

US President Donald Trump announced in December that America recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

The US Embassy is due to relocate to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv on May 14, the date on which Israel declared its independence in 1948.

“In order to promote peace … move your embassies here,” Netanyahu told foreign diplomats at a reception in Jerusalem celebrating the 70th anniversary of that declaration.

He thanked Guatemala which decided to move its embassy soon after the US announcement, but he did not name the other countries he said were considering following suit.

“I am pleased to say that there are at least half a dozen countries that are currently talking seriously to us about moving their embassies to Jerusalem,” Netanyahu said.

The first ten embassies to relocate to Jerusalem would receive “preferential treatment,” he said without explaining what that might entail.

An American official said the embassy would be located at a provisional site in Jerusalem that now houses a US consular section. Building a permanent embassy could take several years.