RAMALLAH, Palestine 

The Palestinian government has denounced Israeli calls for world countries to relocate their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

In a statement on Saturday, the government said Israel was engaged in talks to persuade world countries to move their diplomatic missions to Jerusalem.

These Israeli attempts are “in violation of international law”, the government said, going on to call on world countries to respect UN resolutions on the holy city.

On Dec. 6, U.S. President Donald Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, triggering world outcry and protests across the Palestinian territories.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Middle East conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- occupied by Israel since 1967 -- might eventually serve as the capital of a Palestinian state.

Reporting by Jad al-Nabhan:Writing by Mahmoud Barakat