Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erekat warned against U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital on Sunday and claimed that “Palestinians have lived in the city for thousands of years.”

In recent days, reports have sprung up that claim that President Donald Trump will recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital at somepoint this week.

Erekat preempted this declaration in a fury and said: “A decision such as this will cause a dangerous imbalance in the region and single out the United States among the international community due to a transgression of international law when dealing with Jerusalem. It will pull the U.S. completely out of having any part in future peace negotiations, as it will prove that the U.S. is not worthy of being entrusted with the peace and security of the world.”

Erekat continued to attack the U.S. and the Trump administration as well. “The United States is irresponsible when it comes to Jerusalem. It supports the colonialist occupiers and will bring about new wars and destruction. It will send the region on a “path of chaos, lawlessness and extremism.”

Erekat concluded by saying that: “The Palestinians have had a presence in and have identified with Jerusalem for thousands of years. The inclusion of a religious element into the struggle for sovereignty over Jerusalem will impinge upon the Christians and Muslims an will ignite the entire region. The U.S. government should uphold international law and act wisely in a diplomatic manner in order to bring about the end of the occupation and recognize the Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)