Trump’s US Embassy move to Jerusalem will be 'gift to extremists,' Jordan warns

Moving the US Embassy in Israel to contested Jerusalem will inflame “the Islamic and Arab streets,” and will serve as a gift to extremists, warned a top official from Jordan, one of Washington’s closest allies in the volatile region.


The unambiguous warning was voiced by Mohammed Momani, the Jordanian information minister, in response to US President-elect Donald Trump’s statements on the issue, AP reported on Thursday.

The US Embassy move would be a “red line” for Jordan, and would “inflame the Islamic and Arab streets,” Momani said, adding that it would also serve as a “gift to extremists.” The controversial plan “will have catastrophic implications on several levels, including the regional situation,” the top official told AP.

There have been a number of signs over the past few weeks which suggest that the relocation of the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is likely to happen. Trump’s senior adviser Kellyanne Conway said in December that the embassy move was “a very big priority” for the president-elect.

Israeli officials, including Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, said they have been contacted about finding an appropriate location for the embassy in the city. Washington already has a building in the Arnona neighborhood, originally slated to accommodate the eventual US Embassy.

Trump has made several statements signaling a fresh start for the special relationship between the two nations.......https://on.rt.com/7znw
rt.com
6/1/17
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