Recognition of Palestine is 'a way to respond' to Trump’s move on al-Quds

Rasa - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will call on the EU to officially recognize the state of Palestine during a Monday meeting with the bloc.

News ID: 435927

Date: 22 January 2018 - 17:13

RNA - According to Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki on Sunday, Abbas will tell the EU that the official recognition should be taken "as a way to respond" to US President Donald Trump's move to announce Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli capital.

He will also "reiterate his commitment to the peace process" in the Middle East.

Last week, Abbas said that Trump's so-called Middle East peace efforts are the "slap of the century" after his recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital.

"Since Trump's decision has altered the rules of the game, he (Abbas) expects the European foreign ministers to come forward and collectively recognize the state of Palestine as a way to respond back to Trump's decision," added Malki.

"If the Europeans want to be a player then they have to be fair in their treatment of both parties and this should start with the recognition of the state of Palestine," he added.

Abbas is set to meet EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini and the bloc's 28 foreign ministers later on Monday.

Last month, Trump announced that Washington would recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel and would relocate the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to the occupied city.

847/940