The Palestinians reacted angrily to reports that the United States was preparing to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem within a few months. "It is unacceptable. "Any unilateral action will not legitimize anyone and will be an obstacle to efforts to bring peace to the region," said Nabil Abu Rdina, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The spokesman stressed that "the only way to achieve peace, security and stability" is Abbas' proposal, which he analyzed on February 20, speaking at the United Nations Security Council in New York. He then called for an international summit to restart the peace process with Israel and set up a "multilateral mechanism" to oversee it.
Abbas is still in the United States after undergoing a medical in Baltimore. He is expected to leave tomorrow Saturday.
Saeb Erakat, the "number 2" of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), called the relocation of the embassy a "challenge", saying that the administration of US President Donald Trump has become an obstacle to peace. "This is a challenge for Arabs, Muslims and Christians. "With this decision, the Trump administration is completely isolated and becomes part of the problem and no longer part of the solution," he told AFP.
"The relocation of the US embassy in Jerusalem is a declaration of war against the Arab and Muslim nations, and the US government needs to reconsider," said Hami official Sabi Abu Zuhri from Gaza. Earlier in the day, clashes erupted again in Gaza and the West Bank. A spokesman for the Gaza Strip Ministry of Health said 25 Palestinians throwing stones near the security wall were wounded by Israeli soldiers.
A senior US official said earlier today that the relocation of the embassy would coincide with the "70th anniversary" of the founding of the state of Israel. The embassy will initially be housed in the Arnona district, in the building complex where the US consulate is currently located.
In the first phase, only the ambassador and a small group of staff will move to Jerusalem.