Palestine: No talks with US unless Trump reverses move

By Eshat Firat

RAMALLAH (AA) – A high-ranking Palestine Liberation Organization official (PLO) has announced Friday that Palestine would not engage with talks involving the U.S.until President Donald Trump reverses his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat posted on social media that any meeting with the U.S. would mean a recognition of its move.

"No talk with the American side about the peace process in the absence of a reversal of the resolution and any Palestinian sitting with any American party about the peace process is a recognition of trump's [sic] decision," Erekat posted on social media.

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the decision to recognize Jerusalem and move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv despite widespread international opposition.

Jerusalem remains at the core of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- now occupied by Israel -- might serve as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Ahead of his election last year, Trump repeatedly promised to relocate the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.