Trump's decision to keep US embassy in Tel Aviv is "positive": Palestinian official

The decision of United States President Donald Trump not to move the embassy of his country from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem "is positive," a senior Palestinian official said Thursday.


Nabil Abu Rdineh, an aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in an official press statement that the decision "is positive and important and will boost the opportunities for achieving peace."

International media reported earlier on Thursday that Trump has signed a waiver allowing him to delay any decision on moving the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, it has emerged.

A statement issued by the White House on Thursday, however, said that the president still intends to relocate the US's diplomatic seat in the country, and that the move was a question of "when, not if."

"This decision reiterates the seriousness of the US administration in helping for making peace in the region," said Abu Rdineh, adding "the decision will certainly build up the bridges of confidence with President Trump."

He went on saying that "We are fully ready to carry on working with President Trump and his administration in order to make and reach a just and everlasting peace in the region."

The Palestinians consider east Jerusalem, which was occupied by Israel in 1967 as the capital of their independent state, while Israel insists on considering the whole city as the eternal capital of the state of Israel.

However, Islamic Hamas movement, the rival of Abbas slammed the decision of Trump, saying "it is meaningless."

Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas movement's spokesman in Gaza said in an emailed press statement that "the problem is in occupying the city of Jerusalem and Judaizing it, and not in moving the embassy to the city."

"Therefore, there is no need to consider Trump's decision or remarks as a big achievement, because it is all illusive," said Abu Zuhri.

   [globaltimes.cn/Xinhua]

2/6/17