Palestinians: Trump Tells Abbas Of Intention To Move U.S. Embassy To Jerusalem

Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington earlier this year.

A Palestinian spokesman says U.S. President Donald Trump has told Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas that he intends to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem amid growing warnings across the Middle East against making the move.

Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for Abbas, said on December 5 that the Palestinian leader "warned of the dangerous consequences such a decision would have to the peace process and to the peace, security, and stability of the region and of the world."

The statement did not say whether Trump, who called other Middle Eastern leaders on matter, specified the timing of such a move.

The White House confirmed the call to Abbas, without offering any details.

The White House said on December 4 that an announcement on a decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem would be made in the "coming days."

Arab leaders warned that such a step could spark violence and instability throughout the region.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to break off diplomatic ties with Israel if the United States recognizes Jerusalem as its capital.

Israel regards Jerusalem as its capital city, while the Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

The city is home to holy sites recognized by Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike.

Based on reporting by Reuters and dpa