Abbas, ex-Hamas chief discuss US decision on Jerusalem

By Eshat Firat

RAMALLAH

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and former Hamas leader Khaled Mashal on Thursday held a phone discussion on the Trump administration’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the Palestinian reconciliation process, local media reported.

During their conversation, Abbas emphasized strengthening Palestinian national unity and ending internal division as soon as possible, according to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA .

He also pointed out the necessity of working together in facing the challenges against the Palestinian cause, including the recent development on Jerusalem, it added.

The report didn’t disclose any other details of the talks.

Despite widespread international opposition, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

According to Trump, the U.S. State Department has been told to begin preparations for relocating the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The dramatic shift in Washington’s Jerusalem policy triggered demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq and other Muslim countries.

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