February 20, 2018
Responding to PA President Abbas’ earlier speech at the UN, Halley clarified American positions on Jerusalem and the negotiating process. First, she underscored that the US will not change its position on moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. “You don’t have to like that decision.” She stated, “…You don’t even have to accept it. But know this: that decision will not change.” Further, responding to Abbas’ claim that PA leadership has “expressed their absolute readiness to reach a historic peace agreement,” Haley retorted that “There is the path of absolutist demands, hateful rhetoric, and incitement to violence. That path has led, and will continue to lead, to nothing but hardship for the Palestinian people.” (source)