The White House said on Sunday it was “unfortunate” that Palestinians were declining to meet with US Vice President Mike Pence during an upcoming trip to the region, reported TASS Russian News Agency. 

“It’s unfortunate that the Palestinian Authority is walking away again from an opportunity to discuss the future of the region, but the administration remains undeterred in its efforts to help achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians and our peace team remains hard at work putting together a plan,” said Jarrod Agen, a deputy chief of staff and spokesman for Pence, reported Reuters news agency.

Saeb Erekat, Secretary General of the Executive Committee and top negotiator of the  Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), had announced that the State of Palestine is open to all options for responding to the US president’s decision on Jerusalem, but stressed that there will be no talks with the US administration, unless the said decision is eversed. 

On December 6, US President Donald Trump stated that he recognizes Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel, and said the US Department of State has been ordered to start transferring the US embassy in Israel, from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

But this decision has brought about worldwide reaction.