Palestinians warn against U.S. relocation of embassy to Jerusalem

RAMALLAH, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian senior official called on the United States Monday to avoid taking any move that would affect the status quo of Jerusalem.

Both moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital would be unacceptable and would entail risks, said Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Ziad Abu Amr during his meeting with U.S. Consul General in Jerusalem.

The move would be "offensive and contrary to the role of the U.S. administration as a mediator and a sponsor of the peace process," said the Palestinian official.

"It will disqualify the United States from playing a role in the peace process and will close every door to a serious negotiation, as well as will push the entire region into more tension and instability," he added.

The Palestinian leadership would have to break up any previous understandings it had achieved with the United States, should the U.S. administration decided to change its stance on Jerusalem, warned Amr.

The U.S. administration would also be held responsible for any possible consequences of its moves on Jerusalem, he said.

He further urged the United States to reconsider its position and to preserve the "remaining chances" of achieving peace between the Palestinians and Israel.

U.S. media said that U.S. President Donald Trump was considering acknowledging Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and might announce that on Wednesday.

Trump's adviser Jared Kushner said Sunday that the president had not yet made a decision regarding the recognition.

Trump issued an exceptional decision to maintain the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv last June, which is expected to expire this month, but it is not clear whether he will renew his decision or not.

Moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem is considered by the Palestinians as a provocation and destruction of the peace talks.

The peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel have been stalled since April 2014. The U.S.-sponsored talks that lasted for nine months achieved no tangible results. Enditem