Palestinian president warns U.S. against Jerusalem recognition

RAMALLAH, PALESTINIAN TERRITORY — The Palestinian president on Sunday warned that American recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital would jeopardize the White House’s nascent Mideast peace efforts.

President Mahmoud Abbas’s comments came amid a diplomatic push by the Palestinian leader to rally international support against the possible American move later this week.

“Any American step related to the recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel, or moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, represents a threat to the future of the peace process and is unacceptable for the Palestinians, Arabs and internationally,” Abbas told a group of visiting Arab lawmakers from Israel.

U.S. officials have said President Donald Trump may recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital this week as a way to offset his likely decision to delay his campaign promise of moving the U.S. Embassy there.

Israel regards Jerusalem as its capital, with most government functions, including the prime minister’s office, Supreme Court and parliament, located in the holy city. But the international community says the city’s status should be determined through peace talks.

Abbas’s spokesperson, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, said Saturday the president has been in touch with Arab and world leaders to rally opposition against any U.S. move on Jerusalem. He said Abbas had been in contact with leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and France.

“We believe that such an American step, if it takes place, will enter the region in a new course, and a dangerous phase whose results cannot be controlled,” he said.

The White House, led by Trump’s adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has held months of meetings with leaders across the region ahead of an expected peace initiative. While the proposal is expected to be regional in scope, little is known about the details, including whether Trump will continue the policies of recent predecessors in supporting the notion of an independent Palestinian state.

Kushner said Sunday that Trump has not yet decided whether to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital or whether to proceed immediately in moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city.

MAJDI MOHAMMED, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Palestinians carry the body of 47-year-old Mahmoud Odeh during his funeral in the village of Qusra, near the West Bank City of Nablus, Saturday. Odeh was shot dead by an Israeli settler in a clash that occurred under disputed circumstances.

ARIEL SCHALIT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Israeli soldiers mourn during the funeral Sunday of a comrade who was stabbed to death Thursday in what police called a “terror attack.”