“Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the state of Palestine and it is not for sale for gold or billions,” Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina told AFP, referring to Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The December 6 declaration led Abbas to say the US could no longer play any role in the Middle East peace process. It also prompted Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas ─ 82-years-old and facing the prospect of entering the history books as the leader who “lost Jerusalem” ─ to cancel a planned meeting with Vice President Mike Pence. “As we’ve said all along, the vice president is going to the Middle East in January,” said Pence Spokeswoman Alyssa Farah. It later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognized by the international community.

Source: Pakistan Today January 03, 2018 09:22 UTC