Palestinian President and senior officials of government have warned United States President, Donald Trump of the potentially destructive effects of any move denying their claim to occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. The warning came shortly after reports emerged that Trump would on Tuesday officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and work out modalities to transfer US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
According to Al Jazeera, Saeb Erekat, secretary-general of the PLO Executive Committee has already spoken to Arab leaders, who have relayed the same message "that Jerusalem is a red line, not just for Palestinians but for Arabs, Muslims and Christians everywhere".
Saeb Erekat was further quoted as saying "everyone has informed the US administration that Jerusalem isn't just a Palestinian question, it's an Arab, Islamic and Christian question.
"The US administration understands the enormity of the subject. We are being told that promises were made during the election campaign that were postponed due to internal US problems facing Trump or anyone else ... but these are not our concern. This is a very big issue. To touch Jerusalem, touch al-Aqsa Mosque, touch the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - this is playing with fire."
"There is no meaning for a Palestinian state without East Jerusalem as its capital," he added.
