The backlash against US President Donald Trump’s planned move of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem continued Wednesday, after the country’s top diplomat in Jordan came out with defiant remarks: “There will be no American Consulate for the Palestinians in Jerusalem.”
The new US embassy will be located in the Old City of Jerusalem and the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, the kingdom would withdraw all its ambassadors. Israel, however, has said that the embassy won’t be moved until after any final status agreement about the disputed city is reached.
The strongly worded remarks in Jordan showed the depth of anger against the United States’ position in the Middle East.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Jordanian statement.
Despite his administration’s fraught relationship with Israel and the Palestinians, Trump has made clear he’s dug in on his position on the city, tweeting Wednesday morning, “Just moved the US Embassy in Israel to the eternal capital of the Jewish people, Jerusalem. We celebrate this day with our friends from Israel and around the world.”
Just moved the US Embassy in Israel to the eternal capital of the Jewish people, Jerusalem. We celebrate this day with our friends from Israel and around the world. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2017
Leaders of the Muslim world have also been swift to criticize the plan, which would make Jerusalem the undivided capital of Israel, a city the world has long regarded as its capital. The Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of their own state.
The US on Wednesday urged its citizens to avoid Jerusalem, following an outbreak of violence in the city.
Trump’s announcement Wednesday marks a historic reversal of Washington’s approach to the city.
Previous US presidents have said the status of Jerusalem should be decided in negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Trump’s announcement siding with Israel was seen as a major break with previous US policy.
Before Wednesday, the US had an embassy in Tel Aviv. But in his speech at the White House, Trump urged the Israelis and Palestinians to find “a lasting solution.”
“There is no more important test for the enduring strength of our relationship,” he said.