RAMALLAH, May 12 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Foreign Affairs Ministry slammed on Saturday the positions of three European Union (EU) members that blocked an EU condemnation of the U.S. embassy move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The ministry said that the positions of Hungary, Romani and the Czech Republic contradict the EU policy and their action against such a statement is "a clear breach of international law, UN resolutions, the Geneva Conventions and the human rights principles," adding that it encourages the "Israeli occupation authorities to continue violating international law."
Media reported that France and other EU members presented a statement that includes three main clauses: the EU considers East Jerusalem as a capital of two states, the city's final status is decided through negotiations, and no EU country would move its embassy to Jerusalem as the U.S. would do.
Israel has beefed up security measures in Jerusalem ahead of the U.S. embassy relocation ceremony on Monday, in line with U.S. President Donald Trump's decision recognizing the city as Israel's capital and ordering the moving of his country's embassy to it on Dec 6, 2017.
The ceremony is scheduled as part of the 70th anniversary of Israel's declaration of independence, on the eve of what Palestinians commemorate as the Nakba Day, or "Day of the Catastrophe," in memory of the forcible transfer of two thirds of the Palestinian people and ethnic cleansing of at least 418 villages as a result of the 1948 war.
Palestinian factions and political groups called for escalated protests during this week and declared Monday a day of Rage.
Guatemala and Paraguay announced they will follow the U.S. step and move their embassies to Jerusalem during May.
