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‘US embassy relocation to spark massive unrest’

Saturday, 14 January 2017 3:05 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 14 January 2017 3:05 PM ]

A general view taken on January 13, 2017 shows the Dome of the Rock at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem. (Photo by AFP)

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has asked Russia to intervene to stop the US from likely relocating its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds under Donald Trump.

There have been indications that the incoming administration of President-elect Trump would want to move the American embassy to East Jerusalem al-Quds in a sign of the recognition of the city as the capital of an ‘Israeli state.’ This is while Palestinians want the West Bank, including East Jerusalem al-Quds which Israel has occupied since 1967, as part of a future Palestinian state.

A journalist and political commentator believes transferring the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds is a “terrible idea”, adding that it will spark “massive unrest”.

“We have been talking about an Intifada going on for over [a] year in which well over 200 Palestinians have been killed and [has left] 40 Israelis [dead] including four who were killed in Jerusalem in an attack few days ago. This will be much larger, many more people would be killed in demonstrations and protests not just in Palestine but I would project that it could happen throughout the Muslim world - demonstrations, protests and violence,” Richard Silverstein told Press TV in an interview on Saturday.

However, he said, the relocation of US embassy will happen because both Trump and his designated ambassador to Israel, David Freidman, have welcomed it.

The commentator further noted this is a really “dangerous eventuality”, arguing that once the American embassy is moved, there will no longer be a two-state solution which is the proclaimed policy of the United States right now.

“The only thing that remains is a one-state solution which I do not think the Israelis are willing to recognize in terms of accepting Palestinians within their own state as equal citizens,” he added.

Silverstein further expressed hope that there would be a “massive outpouring of opposition” in the international community and the Muslim world against this “terrible proposed policy”, and that Trump realizes that if he does whatever he wants, he will have to face a huge blowback.

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