Rabat : The United Nations committee on the exercise of inalienable rights of the Palestinian People chose Morocco as the host for the 5th international conference on the Palestinian question, Morocco World News reported.

The upcoming conference will be held on May 17 and 18 in Rabat, and members will convene to discuss the future of Palestine in light of the United States’ unilateral decision to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The new embassy is also set to open in May, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Israel declaring independence.

Speaking in New York recently, Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour said, “obviously, nothing will back down the US Administration, and everything seems to be in place for this announcement to take effect.”

The decision of US President Donald Trump sparked international outcry and condemnation across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. Global leaders, including Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, voiced their concern that this decision jeopardized the long-term peace negations between Palestine and Israel.

In a December 5th letter to Trump, Morocco’s king expressed his “deep concern” over the current US administration’s decision, which contravenes the UN Security Council resolution 2334 (2017).

The King’s sentiments were reiterated this week by Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita during a visit to Jerusalem on March 27.

After praying at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount, Bourita reportedly said that “the prayer at the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a strong message of support for the Palestinian cause.”

For his part, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas recently thanked Morocco’s monarch for his “unwavering support,” in a meeting with Bourita.

This visit was part of an official invitation from Abbas, to hold meetings and review the Palestinian question.

—SM/UNA-OIC