US President Donald Trump has held a telephone conversation with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, in which Trump informed the PA leader of his intention to move the American embassy to Jerusalem, according to Abbas' spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah.
"President Abbas warned of the dangerous consequences such a decision would have to the peace process and to the peace, security and stability of the region and of the world," Abu Rdainah added as quoted by Reuters.
The spokesman's statement did not specify whether Donald Trump elaborated on the timing of his potential move.
READ MORE: Erdogan: 'Mr Trump! Jerusalem is a Red Line', Turkey May Cut Ties With Israel
The call occurred on the eve of Trump's speech scheduled for Wednesday, in which he is expected to announce his stance on the recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, a decision that Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner hinted at last week.
Trump pledged to move the US diplomatic mission to Jerusalem and recognize Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel during his presidential campaign in 2016. However, in June, Trump signed a waiver to keep the US Embassy to Israel in Tel Aviv and delay moving the mission to Jerusalem. The White House explained Trump's move as an attempt to "maximize the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians."
READ MORE: Trump Has ‘No Appreciation’ of Impacts From Recognizing Jerusalem As Capital
On Monday, White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley said that Trump would decide in the coming days whether to sign a waiver to delay the relocation of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Relations between Israel and Palestine have been shattered for decades. Palestinians seek diplomatic recognition for their independent state on the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which is partially occupied by Israel, and the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government refuses to recognize Palestine as an independent political and diplomatic entity. Jerusalem is claimed as the capital by both Israel and Palestine.
READ MORE: PLO, Riyadh, Paris Warn US Not to Recognize Jerusalem as Israel's Capital
Israel declared Jerusalem its "single and indivisible" capital, including its eastern districts and historic center, repulsed half a century ago from Jordan and later annexed. The world community does not recognize the annexation and considers the status of the city to be one of the core problems of the Middle East conflict, which should be resolved on the basis of an agreement with the Palestinians, which claim the eastern part of Jerusalem. In this regard, all foreign embassies are located in Tel Aviv.
