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Donald Trump wants to overturn years of government policy and move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Mr Trump’s advisors say the move is a “priority” for the president-elect after his inauguration later this month. But the billionaire businessman’s plans have been criticised by one of Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas’s aides.

Everything can collapse if the embassy will be moved to Jerusalem Mahmoud al-Habash

Mahmoud al-Habash said the proposal to move the embassy is "a declaration of war on Muslims." He said: "Everything can collapse if the embassy will be moved to Jerusalem. "It can open a wide door to possibilities that no one wants." He warned Palestine would not be able to stand by and watch idly if the move takes place.

AFP GETTY Trump’s plans to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem have been criticised

AFP The US embassy in Israel is currently based in Tel Aviv

President Abbas has warned the move would cause major setbacks to the Israel-Palestine peace process. He said: "We heard a lot of statements relating to moving the US embassy, which we hope are not correct and will not be implemented, but if implemented then the peace process in the Middle East, and even peace in the world, will be in a crisis we will not be able to come out from.” President Barack Obama has stopped the move over “national security concerns”.

AFP Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas warned the embassy move could setback the peace process

GETTY President Barack Obama has stopped the move over “national security concerns”

It comes as three Republican senators introduced legislation to recognises Jerusalem as Israel’s official capital and move the embassy from Tel Aviv. Ted Cruz of Texas, Dean Heller of Nevada and Marco Rubio of Florida unveiled the Jerusalem Embassy and Recognition Act earlier this week. The US embassy in Israel has been based on Tel Aviv’s HaYarkon Street for 50 years with US state department policy saying Jerusalem’s status will be determined in final peace talks.

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