Saudi Gazette report

Riyadh — The Council of Ministers under the chairmanship of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Tuesday voiced “grave and deep concern” over possible US plans to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and transfer its embassy to Jerusalem.

The move could have “serious and negative consequences,” the Cabinet said.

It said the US move jeopardizes the final settlement negotiations.

The Cabinet expressed its hope that the US administration will not take this decision which will compromise its ability to continue its attempt of reaching a just solution to the Palestinian cause.

President Donald Trump faces a key decision this week over occupied Jerusalem’s status, potentially reversing years of US policy and prompting a furious response from the Palestinians and the Arab world.

Facing dark warnings of a historic misstep and widespread unrest, Trump on Monday delayed a decision on whether to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and move the US embassy there.

The White House said Trump would miss a deadline to decide on shifting the embassy from Tel Aviv, after a frantic 48 hours of public warnings from allies and private phone calls between world leaders.

On Monday, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the US Prince Khalid Bin Salman said any US announcement on the status of Jerusalem before a final settlement is reached in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would hurt the peace process and heighten regional tensions.

“The Kingdom’s policy — has been — and remains in support of the Palestinian people, and this has been communicated to the US administration,” Prince Khalid said in a statement.