Saudi king rejects US plan to transfer embassy to Jerusalem

DHAHRAN - Agence France-Presse

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman opened an Arab League summit on April 15 by criticising U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to transfer the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.     

“We reiterate our rejection of the U.S. decision on Jerusalem,” the king said in a speech in Dhahran in eastern Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman opened an Arab League summit on April 15 by criticising U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to transfer the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.     

“We reiterate our rejection of the U.S. decision on Jerusalem,” the king said in a speech in Dhahran in eastern Saudi Arabia.

“East Jerusalem is an integral part of the Palestinian territories,” he added.

King Salman announced a $150 million (120 million euro) donation for the maintenance of Islamic heritage in East Jerusalem.

“Saudi Arabia announces $150 million grant to support the administration of Jerusalem’s Islamic property,” the king said.

Salman slammed Iran’s “blatant interference” in regional affairs but avoided any mention of Syria, just 24 hours after Western strikes against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

“We renew our strong condemnation of Iran’s terrorist acts in the Arab region and reject its blatant interference in the affairs of Arab countries,” the king said.