US Vice President Mike Pence's speech to Israel's parliament Monday, reaffirming Jerusalem as Israel's capital, was "messianic" and a "gift to extremists," a top Palestinian official said.

"The messianic discourse of Pence is a gift to extremists and has proven that the US administration is part of the problem rather than the solution," Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, said on Twitter.

"His message to the rest of the world is clear: Violate international law and resolutions and the US will reward you."

source: AFP