Arab Muslim World Rejects Trump’s Jerusalem Decision
The Extraordinary Islamic Summit, on 13 December 2017 in Istanbul, called on the United States of America to revoke its decision to recognize Al-Quds (the Arabic name for the city of Jerusalem) as capital of Israel.
The Islamic leaders condemned and rejected the decision of U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement last week to relocate the American embassy in the city.
In its Final Communiqué, the Summit held the U.S. administration fully responsible for any repercussions of it refusing to disavow this unlawful decision, taking it as a clear desertion by the Trump Administration of its role as peace broker.
The Summit also dismissed the decision as a gift to Israel for its continuous renouncement of agreements and blatant breach to international legitimacy.
[ Israel Asks Trump to Move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem ]
The call was also for the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) Member States to impose political and economic restrictions on States, officials, parliaments, companies and individuals recognizing Israeli annexation of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, or engaging in any form with measures aimed at perpetuating Israeli colonization of the occupied Palestinian territories.
On the need to internationalize peace, the Communiqué called on international actors to promote a multilateral political process, to resume an internationally sponsored, credible process to achieve lasting peace based on the Two-State solution.
[ Time to Establish an Independent Palestinian State: UN Chief ]
Speaking at the Summit, OIC Secretary General Dr Yousef Al-Othaimeen stated that the Extraordinary Summit bears acute significance particularly as to the centrality of the cause of Palestine and Al Quds for the entire Muslim Ummah, considering the U.S. administration’s unilateral decision a downright aggression on the city’s sacrosanct identity and Arab character.
He further said the OIC uncompromisingly rejects the U.S. move as an act which constitutes a clear violation of international law, deals a heavy blow to international relations and runs counter to the spirit of the UN Charter and relevant UN resolutions.
By taking this move, Al-Othaimeen added, the U.S. is breaking the international consensus regarding the political, legal and historical status of Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
The Organization called on the Arab Muslim world to join efforts, regionally and worldwide, to harness all the diplomatic means available to counter such measures and face up to the U.S. unilateral decision rejected by most of the world countries.
Photo courtesy: OIC