PLO, Saudis warn against the US new policy on Jerusalem

Rasa - The Palestine Liberation Organization's top representative in the US says the formal recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli capital will be the "kiss of death" to so-called peace efforts.

News ID: 435146

Date: 06 December 2017 - 19:10

RNA - "That would be actually the kiss of death to the two-state solution because Jerusalem is at the very heart of the two-state solution," said Husam Zomlot on Monday.

He added that such a move would have "catastrophic consequences," and that the PLO's response would be "strategic and political."

Zomlot further noted that the measure would undermine the US stated efforts to play the "role of the mediator" and makes the Washington "part of the problem not part of the solution."

Saudis play pro-Palestinian

Despite its growing proximity to the Israeli regime, Saudi Arabia also reacted to the news, saying that "any announcement" on the status of Jerusalem al-Quds would raise tensions even further.

"Any US announcement on the status of Jerusalem prior to a final settlement would have a detrimental impact on the peace process and would heighten tensions in the region," said Saudi ambassador Prince Khalid bin Salman.

He further claimed that "the kingdom's policy - has been - and remains in support of the Palestinian people, and this has been communicated to the US administration."

Trump still procrastinating on al-Quds

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has once again postponed his campaign promise on relocated the US diplomatic mission from Tel Aviv to al-Quds.

"The president has been clear on this issue from the get-go: It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when," claimed White House spokesman Hogan Gidley.

"No action though will be taken on the waiver today and we will declare a decision on the waiver in the coming days," he added.

Since US Congress ruled in 1995 that the embassy be relocated from Tel Aviv, every president has deferred the troublesome measure by issuing a six-month waiver.

When Trump faced his first deadline back in June, he also refused to keep his campaign pledge to immediately move the embassy.

According to Washington Post, “he acted, reluctantly, on advice from Cabinet heads, Jordanian King Abdullah II and others, who argued that such a move could ignite violence.”

Trump’s emerging administration was also starting stated efforts to restart Mideast peace talks, which could be potentially harmed by the move.

Trump, however, has harmed his agenda by other measures that have alienated Palestinians even further as his Jewish son-in-law Jared Kushner stays in charge of the so-called peace process between Israel and Palestinians.

The Israeli regime, meanwhile, continues its atrocities and expansionist policies in the region.

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