Fatah official: Moving US embassy in Israel will 'open the gates of hell'

Palestinian movement's spokesman charges that “all chances for peace and stability will be lost” if Trump follows through with campaign pledge to move mission.

By ADAM RASGON
Updated: JANUARY 16, 2017 01:06
A flag flutters outside the US embassy in Tel Aviv August 4, 2013 (photo credit: REUTERS)
A flag flutters outside the US embassy in Tel Aviv August 4, 2013
(photo credit: REUTERS)
If US President-elect Donald Trump follows through with his campaign promise to relocate the US diplomatic headquarters in Israel to Jerusalem, he will “open the gates of hell,” a Fatah spokesman said on Saturday night.
“All chances for peace and stability will be lost,” Osama Qawasmeh said, adding, “The gates of hell will be opened in the region and the world.”
Qawasmeh’s statement comes days after the Palestinian leadership launched a campaign to appeal to the world to block the relocation of the US embassy.
Last Monday, PA President Mahmoud Abbas sent letters to a host of world leaders and heads of international bodies, asking them to block the relocation of the embassy.
John Kerry warns US against moving embassy to Jerusalem
Qawasmeh, who is also a member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council, added that he is certain the international community will stand against such a change in US policy.
“The free people of the world will not permit the passage of such a step, which is an attack on our history, religion, cultural heritage and legal rights,” he stated, emphasizing that “east Jerusalem is the capital of the Palestinian state according to international law, legitimacy and UN resolutions, including UN Security Council Resolution 2334,” which was passed last month.
On Saturday, Abbas, who was in Paris, told Le Figaro, a French daily newspaper, 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 was quoted as saying.
Abbas also said the Palestinian leadership would consider a number of moves in response to the relocation of the embassy.
“There would be several options for us, and we would discuss them with Arab countries,” Abbas said. “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.”