France Calls Trump Embassy Move Provocation

France’s foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said on Sunday a proposal by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to move the American embassy to Yerushalayim would be a provocation with serious consequences.

“Of course [it’s a provocation]. I think he would not be able to do it,” Jean-Marc Ayrault told the France 3 network during a conference on the Middle East peace process in Paris. “It would have extremely serious consequences and it’s not the first time that it’s on the agenda of a U.S. president, but none have let themselves make that decision.

“One cannot have such a clear-cut, unilateral position. You have to create the conditions for peace.”

Meanwhile, the Palestinians escalated their threats. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told the French daily Le Figaro that the relocation of the embassy would have dire consequences.

“Not only would this move deprive the United States of all legitimacy in playing a role in conflict resolution, it would also destroy the two-state solution,” Abbas said over the weekend.

“There would be several options for us, and we would discuss them with Arab countries,” Abbas added. “Reversing our recognition of the state of Israel is one of them. But we hope that it doesn’t reach that point, and that, on the contrary, we will be able to work with the next American administration.”

A week ago, Abbas warned it would precipitate a “crisis no one will be able to overcome,” according to official Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Fatah official Osama Qawasmeh predicted a new wave of Palestinian terror if the Trump administration carries out its stated intention. “All chances for peace and stability will be lost,” he said.

The Grand Mufti of Yerushalayim, Muhammad Hussein, stated during his Friday afternoon sermon that such a move would be considered an “assault” on Muslims, AFP reported.