Iran Says Trump’s al-Quds Move to Spark another Palestinian Intifada

Iran has strongly condemned US President Donald Trump’s decision to move his country’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem al-Quds, saying the measure will ignite a new Palestinian Intifada (uprising).

In a Wednesday night statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said Washington’s recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital is a “blatant violation of international resolutions.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always stressed that the most important reason behind instability and insecurity in the Middle East is [Israel’s] continued occupation, the US’ relentless support for the Zionist regime, and denying the oppressed Palestinian nation the right to establish an independent state with al-Quds as it capital,” the statement said, according to Press TV.

 Describing the US move as “provocative and unwise,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry warned that “recognizing al-Quds as the Israeli regime’s capital” will “incite Muslims and inflame a new Intifada and intensify extremism and violent behavior for which the US and the Israeli regime will be responsible.”

The statement also called on the international community to pressure the US not to go through with the embassy move or the recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli regime’s capital.

Trump Declaration on Jerusalem Destroys Two-State Solution – PLO

Meantime, Sputnik reported that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called US President Donald Trump’s announcement on Jerusalem al-Quds a ‘declaration of withdrawal’ from the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

The secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization echoed those sentiments, saying Trump had derailed the prospect of a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine and Washington’s chances of playing a role in the regional peace process.

“He destroyed the two-state solution,” Saeb Erekat, former diplomat and chief negotiator for the Palestinians, told journalists after Trump’s speech on Wednesday.

Trump “disqualified his country from any role whatsoever” in the peace process, Erekat added.

“As a chief Palestinian negotiator, how can I sit with these people if they dictate on me the future of al-Quds as Israel’s capital,” the politician declared.

On Wednesday, Trump announced that “it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” and revealed that he has ordered the Department of State to take measures to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds. However, Trump also said he signed a waiver delaying the Embassy relocation for six months.

Trump was advised against making the move by Middle Eastern allies including Saudi Arabia and Turkey, who warned that US recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital will inflame conflict in the region.

Despite the controversy, the US president reiterated Washington’s commitment to the two-state solution of the Israel-Palestine issue and vowed to do “everything” in his power to facilitate reconciliation between them. He described the decision as “a historic day” and “an important step toward peace.”

R.S