‘U.S. Embassy Relocation to al-Quds Provocative’

Date: 24 February 2018 - 20:03

News ID: ۵۰۴۰۲

WEST BANK (Dispatches) – The Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, has strongly condemned a recent decision by the United States to move its embassy to occupied al-Quds in May, describing the move as "provocative” for all Muslim and Arab nations.
"The measure to relocate the U.S. embassy concurrent with the 70th anniversary of Nakba Day (Day of Catastrophe), when hundreds of Palestinians were forcibly evicted from their homeland by Israeli regime forces back in 1948, is a naked [act of] aggression against the Palestinian nation,” the Hamas spokesman, Abdullatif al-Qanou, told Press TV in an exclusive interview in Gaza City on Saturday.
He added, "It is also a provocative move against all Muslims and Arabs, and a clear attack against sites revered by both Muslims and Christians. Hamas believes that such a decision would fail to change the status quo of al-Quds.”
The United States is planning to open its embassy in al-Quds in May, the State Department has announced.
"We are excited about taking this historic step, and look forward with anticipation to the May opening," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.
Earlier, an official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said most embassy staff will remain in Tel Aviv.
"Come May, we're moving the ambassador and a small team to Arnona," the compound that currently houses the consular operations of the U.S. Consulate General in al-Quds, the official said.
"What will happen by May is a sign will be put up in Arnona identifying the facility as the U.S. Embassy," the official added.
Another U.S. official, also requesting anonymity, added that a new embassy building will be later constructed in another location in al-Quds.
U.S. President Donald Trump on December 6 defied global warnings and said Washington formally recognized al-Quds as the "capital” of the Zionist regime and would begin the process of moving its embassy to the occupied city, breaking with decades of American policy.
His decision infuriated the Palestinians, who declared that Washington could no longer play a role as lead mediator in the so-called Middle East peace process. It also sparked outrage across the Muslim world and even Washington's Arab allies.
The United Nations General Assembly on December 21 overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution that calls on the U.S. to withdraw its controversial recognition of al-Quds as the occupying regime’s capital.