RAMALLAH, March 5, 2018 (WAFA) – The Palestinian government denounced on Monday Guatemala’s decision to move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May, two days after the US moves its embassy.

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales told the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington on Sunday that “under my instructions, two days after the United States moves its embassy, Guatemala will return and permanently move its embassy to Jerusalem."

The US said it will start the process of moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on May 14, when Israel marks 70 years for its creation and Palestine marks 70 years of dispersion and displacement caused by Israel’s creation on their land and in their homes.

The US decision came after President Donald Trump signed a decision on December 6 of last year recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

"As a sovereign decision, we recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel," Morales said to applause from the staunch pro-Israel crowd. Guatemala was one of few nations that voted against a UN resolution condemning Trump‘s decision.

The Palestinian cabinet called on Arab and Islamic nations “to take a firm stand against this move, which violates international law and principles as well as United Nations resolutions.”

The Arab countries decided in one of their summit meetings to sever all ties with any country that recognizes Jerusalem as capital of Israel or move its embassy there. However, none of the Arab countries took a stand from the US move, which apparently encouraged others to follow suit.

M.K.