Mahmoud Abbas canceled the meeting with US Vice President

News24xx.com -  The White House warned that the cancellation of a planned meeting between Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas and US Vice-President Mike Pence would be counterproductive.

The warning comes amid indications that Abbas might be canceling a planned meeting this month following President Donald Trump's announcement of official US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

"Pence is still planning to meet with Abbas on schedule and is confident that it will be counterproductive for him to cancel the meeting," a White House official told AFP on Friday, December 8 2017.

Pence have a scheduled to visit Egypt, Israel and Palestine in mid-December. The visit will take place amid global criticism over Trump's announcement about Jerusalem.

Jibril Rajoub, a senior member of Abbas's Fatah party, said Pence would not be welcomed in Palestine. Rajoub also hinted that Abbas would not meet Pence.

"And President Abbas will not welcome of him because of the statements that he made about Jerusalem," Rajoub said.

President Abbas has yet to comment and his has not yet issued a statement regarding the planned encounter with Pence.

Trump's admission of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has triggered protests by Palestinians.

Even Hamas groups are calling on the Palestinians to initiate an intifada or rebellion against Israel.

A number of Palestinian leaders have stated that they no longer regard the United States as an mediator in the Middle East peace process.

 

 

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