Team Trump Says ‘Stay Tuned’ for Decision on Embassy Move to Jerusalem as Palestinians Protest, Threaten Violence
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by Ruthie Blum
Palestinians protesting on Thursday against the potential move of the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Photo: Screenshot.
A few hours before incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer told journalists on Thursday — 24 hours before the inauguration of Donald Trump as the next president of the United States — to “stay tuned” for the new administration’s decision about its proposed move of America’s embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Palestinians took to the streets of three West Bank cities to demonstrate.
According to Palestinian News Network, hundreds of flag-waving Palestinians held protests in Ramallah, Nablus and Hebron, where banners, in English, read: “Trump, take your racism away from the Holy City,” and in Arabic: “The whole world is moving forward but the Trump administration is moving backwards.”
The protests come two days after Trump said at an event in Washington on Tuesday evening that he hasn’t forgotten his promise to move the embassy to Jerusalem. Days earlier, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly sent a letter to Trump, warning against such a move.
President Obama said Wednesday that his administration issued a similar warning, suggesting that moving the embassy to Jerusalem could have “explosive” results.
According to the Jerusalem-based research organization Palestinian Media Watch, official PA media outlets have been awash with threats about the “bloodshed” that will ensue if Trump moves the embassy, as it signifies American recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state, which the Palestinians dispute.
Upon his appointment last month as the next US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman said: “I intend to work tirelessly to strengthen the unbreakable bond between our two countries and advance the cause of peace within the region, and look forward to doing this from the US embassy in Israel’s eternal capital, Jerusalem.”
As The Algemeiner reported earlier this month, however, Israeli Foreign Ministry officials said Friedman might work from an office in Jerusalem while the US Embassy remains in Tel Aviv.
