'Trump doesn't understand the offence he is causing,' London mayor responds to Jerusalem decision

Published December 7, 2017
"As a world we have got to unite and explain to President Trump why he is wrong," Sadiq Khan says. —Online
"As a world we have got to unite and explain to President Trump why he is wrong," Sadiq Khan says. —Online

"President Trump doesn't understand world politics. He doesn't understand the offence he is causing," London Mayor Sadiq Khan said in response to United States President Donald Trump's announcement to shift the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

"It [the decision] is very unfortunate and as a world we have to unite and explain to President Trump why he is wrong," Khan said while speaking on Geo News.

United Nations and the world understands that Jerusalem is part of a peaceful solution, he said, adding: "We are going to make sure we lobby and make the US government change its stance."

"President Trump's speech was very dangerous; I am very concerned," Sadiq Khan said while also advising him to change his "views on Muslims and Islam".

He went on to say that the people in London were not Trump's fans and he will decide on his course of action when Trump announces his visit to the United Kingdom.

Talking about democracy in Pakistan, Khan said the Pakistanis should not be depressed about the hurdles its democracy is facing. "It's a good thing to have tensions between the judiciary and the executive," he said, adding that it happens in all developed democracies including the US and the UK, and is only a step towards strengthening the system.

Regarding links between the two countries, he said that the relations between UK and Pakistan had been up and down during the 70 years since Pakistan gained independence for the UK, however, he hoped things would only look up from now onward.

"I am very optimistic about business links, tourism and study links," he said, adding that he was pressurising the British government to ensure Pakistani students keep going to England. "London is open for Pakistanis."

Khan is in Pakistan for an official visit to the country, and is the first London mayor to visit the country in an official capacity.

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