President Donald Trump threatened to withhold aid if they did not pursue peace with Israel, saying the Palestinians had snubbed the US by not meeting Vice President Mike Pence during a recent visit. Trump, speaking on Thursday in Davos, said that Palestinians had “disrespected” the United States and that he would withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in aid until they agree to US-brokered peace talks.
“They disrespected us a week ago by not allowing our great vice president to see them,” Trump said during a warm meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Davos, Switzerland.
“We give them hundreds of millions,” Trump added. “That money is not going to them unless they sit down and negotiate peace.” But Palestinians ruled out Washington as a peace broker after the US president's 6 December recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Trump's Jerusalem move angered the Palestinians, sparked protests in the Middle East and raised concern among Western countries that it could further destabilise the region.
Palestinians see East Jerusalem as capital of a future state.
