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Palestinians welcome Trump’s decision not to move embassy to Jerusalem

Trump’s decision to keep the US embassy in Tel Aviv for the time being rather than honoring his pre-election pledge to move it to Jerusalem, the Israeli capital, delighted the Palestinians. 

The Palestinian Authority (PA) praised President Donald Trump’s decision to renege on his promise to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The decision is an “important positive step” that demonstrates Washington’s commitment to promoting peace, Palestinian Ambassador to Washington Hussam Zomlot stated. It “gives peace a chance.”

“We are ready to start the consultation process with the US administration. We are serious and genuine about achieving a just and lasting peace,” he said.

Despite Zomlot’s claim, the PA continues to incite violence and glorify terror. Reports indicate that Trump, during his recent visit to Bethlehem, blasted PA President Mahmoud Abbas, saying, “You lied to me.” The president was referring to the Palestinian leader’s claim that youth in the PA-administered areas are raised in a “culture of peace.”

Palestinian streets, squares and cultural institutions are frequently named after terrorists with blood on their hands. Most recently, a women’s center was named after female terrorist Dalal Mughrabi, who in 1978 led the most lethal attack against Israeli citizens that claimed 37 lives, including many children. Norway and the United Nations had contributed funding to the center and demanded it be renamed, but the PA refuses to comply.

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According to the White House, while Trump delayed moving the embassy in order to “maximize the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians. But, as he has repeatedly stated his intention to move the embassy, the question is not if that move happens, but only when.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed disappointment that the embassy will remain in Tel Aviv, at least for the time being. “Maintaining embassies outside the capital drives peace further away by helping keep alive the Palestinian fantasy that the Jewish people and the Jewish state have no connection to Jerusalem,” he said.

By: Adina Katz, World Israel News