The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called for an emergency meeting for the Arab League and Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to address the latest developments linked to Jerusalem. Reports have emerged from the United States that Washington intends to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, raising alarm in Palestinian circles. American officials said on Friday that US President Donald Trump intended to make the announcement soon in violation of a trend that his predecessors had followed in keeping this issue away from peace negotiations. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said its demand for the emergency meetings was made after Foreign Minister Riad al-Maliki held talks with Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit and OIC Secretary General Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen. The FM had also telephoned Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Abdul Latif Al Zayani. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry explained that the Arab League and OIC meetings were important because they will determine the steps needed to confront this “irresponsible” US action. Maliki hoped that the decisions that would be taken at the meetings would reflect the importance of Jerusalem as a major religious site for Muslims and Christians. The Palestinian news agency reported that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had kicked off on Saturday a series of Arab and international contacts in an effort to prevent the US from going ahead and recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. To that end, he held talks with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, French President Emmanuel Macron, Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Jordanian King Abdullah II. On Sunday, Abbas telephoned Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.