French President Emmanuel Macron, right, shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after a joint press conference at the Elysee Palace after their talks in Paris, Friday, Dec. 22, 2017. Abbas visits France in the hopes that France takes a leading role in opposing the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. (Francois Mori, Pool/Associated Press)PARIS — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday urged France and Europe to play a stronger role in peace efforts, insisting he’ll no longer accept any U.S. plans for Mideast peace because of the Trump administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Abbas met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris a day after the U.N. General Assembly resolution denouncing President Donald Trump’s decision. Abbas also denounced the U.S threat to cut financial aid for countries who voted to back the U.N. resolution.

Source: Washington Post December 22, 2017 10:34 UTC