Wednesday, 3 January 2018

Trump threatens stop to Palestinian aid over Jerusalem row

*Trump threatens stop to Palestinian aid over Jerusalem row*

The US may stop aid payments to Palestinians who are "no longer willing to talk peace", President Trump said. On Twitter, Mr Trump said the United States received "no appreciation or respect" in return for its aid. He also said his controversial recognition of the contested city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital took the hugely divisive issue "off the table" for new peace talks.

Palestinians had said the move showed the US could not be a neutral broker. The decision in December was also overwhelmingly condemned at the United Nations, where 128 countries voted against Mr Trump's fulfilment of a campaign promise.

After the announcement, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he would no longer accept any proposals from Mr Trump's government. "The United States has proven to be a dishonest mediator in the peace process," he said. He also called Jerusalem the "eternal capital of the state of Palestine".

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