News / Palestine

Palestinian Authority recalls envoy to US over Trump’s move on al-Quds

Sunday, 31 December 2017 7:02 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 01 January 2018 11:51 AM ]

Palestinian Ambassador to the United States, Husam Zomlot (file photo)

The Palestinian Authority has recalled its ambassador to Washington in protest at US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the "capital" of Israel.

On Sunday, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki decided to recall Husam Zomlot for consultations, the Palestinian news agency SAFA reported.

Malki said discussions would take place “to set the decisions needed by the Palestinian leadership in the coming period regarding our relations with the US.”

The top Palestinian diplomat went on to say that the envoy is expected to return to “his normal work” after the discussions.

5,404 Palestinians injured in protests over Trump's move on Jerusalem al-Quds

Meanwhile, the Palestine Red Crescent Society reported on Sunday that a total of 5,404 had sustained injuries ever since clashes broke out across the Palestinian territories in condemnation of Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital.

The society stated that 407 Palestinians were struck with live bullets, while 919 others with rubber-coated steel bullets.

A total of 3,682 protesters suffered tear gas inhalation, and another 204 were savagely beaten.

Palestinian protestors clash with Israeli forces at Hawara checkpoint, south of the West Bank city of Nablus, during clashes following a demonstration on December 29, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

On December 6, Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital and relocate the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to the occupied city.

The dramatic shift in Washington’s policy vis-à-vis the city triggered demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Morocco and other Muslim countries.

On December 21, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution that calls on the US to withdraw its controversial recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israeli “capital.”

The voting results are displayed on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly in which the United States declaration of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital was declared "null and void" on December 21, 2017 in New York City, the United States. (Photo by AFP)

In an attempt to avert the resolution, Trump had warned that “we’re watching,” threatening reprisals against countries that backed the measure, which earlier faced a US veto at the UN Security Council.

Israel, however, rejected the world body’s resolution while thanking Trump for his decision to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds.

Jerusalem al-Quds remains at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Palestinians hoping that the eastern part of the city would eventually serve as the capital of a future independent Palestinian state.

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