Palestine recalls its ambassador to US over Jerusalem crisis

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) recalled its ambassador to the US on Sunday in Washington following US President Donald Trump's controversial decision of recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel a few weeks ago.

The PNA's move was done in order to have "consultations" over the crisis with Washington after its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

A brief statement by the Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riad Maliki mentioned that he decided to recall the head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) mission in the US, Ambassador Hossam Zomlot, media reports said.

Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Malki on Sunday said, "The discussions would take place to set the decisions needed by the Palestinian leadership in the coming period regarding our relations with the US our US envoy will return back to 'his normal work' after the discussions."

On December 6, US President Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and ordered to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, which met strong Palestinian and Arab rejection.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinians would no longer work with the US as an interlocutor in the peace process between themselves and Israel.

It is also a disputed territory, contested by both Israel and Palestine, which sees it as a capital of its future state.