Ramallah, Palestinian Territories — Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas’s office says Jerusalem is "not for sale" after US President Donald Trump threatened to cut annual aid of more than $300m to force them to the negotiating table. "Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the state of Palestine and it is not for sale for gold or billions," Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said on Wednesday, referring to Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The December 6 declaration led Abbas to say the US could no longer play any role in the Middle East peace process. "We are not against going back to negotiations, but [these should be] based on international laws and resolutions that have recognised an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital," Abu Rudeina said. Trump made the funding threat in a tweet on Tuesday, saying: "We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. With the Palestinians no longer willing ...
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