News / Interviews

Moving embassy to al-Quds not in US interest: Commentator

Friday, 13 January 2017 2:45 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 13 January 2017 2:46 PM ]

Palestinians walk past the Dome of the Rock at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound before the Friday prayer in Jerusalem al-Quds' Old City on January 13, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Republican congressmen are preparing a letter addressed to US President-elect Donald Trump, calling on the incoming administration to immediately relocate the American embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem al-Quds.

In September, Trump, who was the Republican presidential front-runner at the time, promised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s undivided capital if he emerged triumphant in the election.

He has already indicated that his term in office will mark a significant step in the expansion of US-Israel relations.

A radio host and political commentator believes moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem al-Quds would not be in the best interest of the United States.

“Even though our Congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 -- both Houses passed it -- none of our presidents have seen fit to put the bill into implementation, because it would create absolute political chaos, because Jerusalem has been guaranteed to be a refuge city for Muslims, Christians and Jews,” Eli Joseph James told Press TV in an interview on Friday.

He also expressed hope that Trump would not move the embassy, arguing that it would be a violation of the Oslo Accords of 1993.

However, he said, there is going to be intense pressure on Trump to relocate the embassy because the "upper crust of the Republican party" is made up of pro-Israel neocons who "get a lot of money from Zionist organizations."

James further said that Trump should negotiate with the people involved in this issue and take into consideration "how the rest of the world would feel about it."

According to the commentator, all the non-Zionist leaders of the world should start putting pressure on Israel and Trump to honor the Oslo Accords and not move "rashly" in this matter.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk