The transfer of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is "a new and dangerous episode in a series of provocations and wrong decisions that has continued since December". This was stated today by the Secretary General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit. In a statement, Aboul Gheit harshly criticizes the transfer of the US diplomatic representation to the Jewish state. Announced by President Donald Trump the 6 December 2017 and confirmed yesterday, 23 February, by the State Department spokesman, Heather Nauert.
The initiative formalizes the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by the United States. For Aboul Gheit, Washington's move "will kill the last hope for peace and coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis". The criticism of the Arab League secretary is especially focused on the date chosen to transfer the US embassy to Jerusalem, 14 next May. The date coincides, in fact, with the Nakba commemoration by the Palestinians, namely the defeat of the Arabs in the first war against Israel in the 1948. According to Aboul Gheit, this coincidence "reveals the absolute polarization of Israel and the absence of any rational reading of the nature and history of conflict in the region". The transfer of the US embassy, underlined the Secretary General of the Arab League, will not have legal effects and will not change the legal regime of Jerusalem as "occupied territory". Aboul Gheit then highlighted how "the overwhelming majority of states opposed the US decision". This agreement, concluded the Secretary General of the Arab League, constitutes "a rare precedent that reflects the international consensus on the seriousness" of the Jerusalem question for the negotiations on the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians.
Yesterday, 23 February, US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert confirmed that the United States will transfer its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on May 14, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of independence of Israel. During a press conference, Nauert said: "Initially, the embassy will be relocated to Arnona, in a new building that now houses the consular offices." The declaration confirms what was previously announced by the Israeli Minister of Transport, Yisrael Katz. "I want to congratulate Donald Trump, US president, for his decision to transfer the embassy to our capital in the 70 anniversary of Independence Day. There is no bigger gift than this. The most right and correct decision. Thank you, friends! "Katz had written on his Twitter profile.