Trump's Jerusalem move: US warns against scrapping Pence-Abbas talks


FE Team | Published: December 08, 2017 12:27:19 | Updated: December 09, 2017 18:56:45


Palestinians damage a mural depicting US President Donald Trump on a part of the Israeli barrier in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Thursday. - Reuters photo

The US has warned Palestinians against cancelling talks with Vice-President Mike Pence, after Washington recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

It would be "counterproductive" to scrap talks between Mr Pence and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas planned later this month, the US said on Thursday.

A senior Palestinian official earlier said Pence would not be welcome, the BBC reports.

President Donald Trump's announcement on Jerusalem this week reversed decades of US policy on Jerusalem's status.

On Thursday, at least 31 Palestinians were wounded in clashes in the Gaza Strip and across the occupied West Bank.

The clashes were triggered by Trump's policy shift. More protests are expected in Palestinian territories on Friday.

The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas has already called for a new intifada, or uprising.

Israel has deployed hundreds of extra troops in the West Bank.

Many of Washington's closest allies have said they disagree with the US policy shift, and both the UN Security Council and the Arab League will meet in the coming days to decide their response.

 

 

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