Palestinian foreign ministry plans to sue Ambassador David Friedman for US recognition of City of David archaeological park

The US embassy in Jerusalem issued this press release yesterday:

The United States Embassy in Jerusalem, together with the United States Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad, have recognized the City of David as a testament to America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and founding principles. The archeological discoveries at the City of David bring Biblical Jerusalem back to life and reaffirm the prophetic messages of freedom, justice and peace that inspired America’s founders.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, and Chairman of the Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad, Paul Packer, recently attended a special ceremony dedicating a plaque to honor the City of David in recognition of the seminal role it plays in connecting its visitors to the origins of the values that helped shape America..

In response, the Palestinian ministry of foreign affairs plans to sue Ambassador Friedman, who is leaving his post this week.

Foreign Affairs and Expatriates undertakes to legally pursue the settler, Ambassador Friedman

 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemns in the strongest terms the announcement of the American ambassador to the settler occupation state David Friedman regarding his recognition of the settlement project called the City of David, in the middle of occupied Jerusalem, two days before the end of his duties as ambassador to the United States of America, and considers it illegal and invalid. It expresses Friedman's desires and his dark ideology which he is trying to affix not only to the United States of America, but also to the American constitution and principles and employ them in favor of the narrative of the occupation in Jerusalem, saying in a statement issued by the American embassy: "The City of David" is "a testament to the Judeo-Christian heritage and the founding principles of America."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates will take it upon itself to follow up this issue with legal experts and the concerned authorities to discuss the possibility of holding the settler Friedman accountable before international and specialized courts.

I guess they didn't think they can sue the United States so they want to go after Friedman. Not that they can point to any international laws broken by him by presenting a plaque.

The plaque itself says:

The City of David brings Biblical Jerusalem to life at the very place where the kings and prophets of the Bible walked.  It is the site where internationally acclaimed archeological discoveries have been unearthed, including the Pool of Siloam, the Pilgrimage Road, the Gihon Spring and Hezekiah’s Tunnel.

As the prophet Isaiah said, “Out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” The spiritual bedrock of our values as a nation comes from Jerusalem. It is upon these ideals that the American Republic was founded, and the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel was formed.

The City of David serves as a proud reminder of the glorious heritage of the United States of America.

“I REJOICED WITH THOSE WHO SAID TO ME, ‘LET US GO TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD.’ OUR FEET ARE STANDING IN YOUR GATES, JERUSALEM.”

— PSALM 122:1 – 2

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