Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas: UN Should Replace U.S. as Peace Mediator

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday said the United Nations should replace the United States as a peace mediator between Israeli and Palestinian officials. Abbas’ comments come as the Trump administration inflamed tensions in the region by designating Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The Trump administration has been pushing for successful peace negotiations in the Middle East, and the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital threatens to imperil its prospects because most world leaders in the region condemned the decision.