RAMALLAH, December 6, 2017 (WAFA) – Efforts to ramp up warnings against US President Donald Trump’s drive to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel hit the front page headlines in Palestinian Arabic dailies on Wednesday.
Al-Quds reported that Trump would recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and sign a waiver delaying the relocation of the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Al-Ayyam reported that in defiance of the world, Trump is set to relocate the embassy to Jerusalem.
Al-Quds and al-Ayyam said that President Mahmoud Abbas has warned his US counterpart that the US push would have “grave consequences” on regional stability.
Abbas was also reported in al-Hayat al-Jadida reiterating that no Palestinian state would be established without East Jerusalem as its capital.
Highlighting Israeli reaction to the US move, al-Quds and al-Ayyam said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his ministers to remain silent on the issue and Israeli military to be on alert for any outbreak of violence.
The dailies added that Palestinian factions have announced three “days of rage” starting on Wednesday across the occupied Palestinian territories.
Al-Quds said the Palestinian cabinet has called on the US administration neither to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital nor to relocate the embassy.
The dailies also spotlighted the mounting chorus of voices opposing the US move and warning of its consequences.
Al-Quds said in this regard that the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III has warned against changing the status quo in Jerusalem.
Al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to break off diplomatic relations with Israel over Jerusalem issue.
They added that Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud stating that any US move on Jerusalem is going to provoke the sentiments of Muslims throughout the world.
According to al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida, Jordan intends to call for urgent meetings for the Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Al-Ayyam added that the Jordanian House of Representatives was set to convene an urgent meeting on Jerusalem today.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported the EU’s top diplomat Federica Mogherini stating that “any action that would undermine” peace efforts to create two separate states for the Israelis and the Palestinians “must absolutely be avoided.”
It also reported the Vatican’s Secretary of State Pietro Parolin warning that the relocation of the US embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would pose a threat to world peace and stability.
Moreover, al-Quds said that the Egyptian security delegation is continuing their efforts towards completion of reconciliation in Gaza.
It said the US Congress has passed a bill that could reduce funding to the Palestinian Authority.
Al-Quds and al-Ayyam said Israeli bulldozers demolished the foundations of a Palestinian home in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Shufat, while al-Ayyam added police delivered demolition orders for a number of Palestinian homes in the same neighborhood.
Al-Quds and al-Ayyam added Israeli forces delivered demolition orders for 17 Palestinian structures in Qalqiliya district.
K.F./M.K.
