Palestinian Authority recalls envoy to US over Trump’s move on al-Quds

GAZA: The Palestinian Authority has recalled its ambassador to Washington in protest at US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the “capital” of Israel.

On Sunday, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki decided to recall Husam Zomlot for consultations, the Palestinian news agency SAFA reported. Malki said discussions would take place “to set the decisions needed by the Palestinian leadership in the coming period regarding our relations with the US.”

The top Palestinian diplomat went on to say that the envoy is expected to return to “his normal work” after the discussions. Meanwhile, the Palestine Red Crescent Society reported on Sunday that a total of 5,404 have sustained injuries ever since clashes broke out across the Palestinian territories in condemnation of Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital.

The society stated that 407 Palestinians were struck with live bullets, while 919 others with rubber-coated steel bullets.A total of 3,682 protesters sustained tear gas inhalation, and another 204 were savagely beaten. On December 6, Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital and relocate the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to the occupied city. The dramatic shift in Washington’s policy vis-à-vis the city triggered demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Morocco and other Muslim countries.

On December 21, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution that calls on the US to withdraw its controversial recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israeli “capital.”