The leader of Egypt's Coptic Church has cancelled an upcoming meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence, protesting against Washington's move to declare Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
The move by Pope Tawadros II on Saturday came a day after Palestinian leaders also said that Pence, who is scheduled to visit the region later this month, was not welcome in the occupied territories.
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump formally recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and said he would start the process of moving its embassy there from Tel Aviv.
The controversial decision sparked anger and protests throughout the occupied Palestinian territories and a number of Muslim countries. It also drew widespread condemnation from world leaders.
[aljazeera.com]
9/12/17
The move by Pope Tawadros II on Saturday came a day after Palestinian leaders also said that Pence, who is scheduled to visit the region later this month, was not welcome in the occupied territories.
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump formally recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and said he would start the process of moving its embassy there from Tel Aviv.
The controversial decision sparked anger and protests throughout the occupied Palestinian territories and a number of Muslim countries. It also drew widespread condemnation from world leaders.
[aljazeera.com]
9/12/17
Abbas won’t meet Pence as Palestinians seek new mediator...
ReplyDeletePalestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will not meet with US Vice President Mike Pence later this month and is seeking a new mediator in peace talks with Israel. Abbas won’t be alone in snubbing Pence on his Middle East tour in the wake of Trump’s Jerusalem decision.
Abbas’ refusal to host Trump was confirmed by Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki before an Arab League meeting in Cairo. He added there will be no contact between US and Palestinian officials, and that his government was seeking a new mediator as Washington had surrendered its neutrality with Trump’s declaration.
“We will seek a new mediator from our Arab brothers and the international community, a mediator who can help with reaching a two-state solution,” al-Maliki said......https://on.rt.com/8ucv