‘US dictations’: Palestine slams Paraguay embassy move to Jerusalem

Palestine accused Paraguay of aiding Israel’s “annexation” of Jerusalem, after it became the third nation to move its embassy to the city. Palestinian officials are calling on Arab states to cut ties with anyone making the move.

Member of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee Hanan Ashrawi denounced Paraguay’s decision to move its embassy from Tel Aviv, describing the relocation as a "a deliberate and flagrant violation of international law and legitimacy resolutions." She added that “taking such a provocative and irresponsible step” makes Paraguay complicit in Israel’s attempt to “consolidate [its] military occupation” and “annex Jerusalem.”

Following the United States and Guatemala, Paraguay is now the third nation to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The Palestinian Authority said it was urging the Arab world and Islamic nations to cut ties with Guatemala and Paraguay in response to their decision to follow Washington’s lead in relocating their embassies.

• A senior Palestinian official told Haaretz that while it’s clear that no Arab state would cut its ties with Washington, “with countries like Guatemala and Paraguay, it may be possible and that can serve as leverage over other countries that are thinking about doing the same thing" in regards to their embassies.

In 1980, Israel passed a law that declared Jerusalem the "complete and united" capital of Israel, in violation of international law. The Palestinians, with broad international support, see east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. However, Israel has occupied east Jerusalem since 1967, in a move that has not been recognized by the international community.
 RT
 21/5/18
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