Despite warnings from some Middle East countries, the United States under Donald Trump has recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, a move which some say is likely to cause uprising.
Prior to Trump’s recognition, the United States never endorsed Israel’s claim of sovereignty over any part of Jerusalem and had insisted its status be resolved through Israeli-Palestinian negotiation.
Head of Arab League, Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, said the US decision would constitute a blow to Arab-American relations and to American role as mediator between Israelis and Palestinians and also represent an unjustified provocation for Arabs.
Palestinian representative to Britain, Manuel Hassassian, said Trump is declaring war in the Middle East, against Muslims and Christians who will not accept Jerusalem under Israeli control.
Meanwhile, Bolivian UN Ambassador, Sacha Sergio Llorentty Soliz, described Trump’s decision as reckless and dangerous, saying it goes against international law, resolutions of the Security Council and weakens effort for peace in the region.
A Hamas Official, Salah Bardawil, said Palestinians are “on a dangerous crossroad today; we either remain or perish, Trump or anyone thinking that our people, nation and resistance are unable to push back his plans, is wrong”.
Deputy Prime Minister, Bekir Bozdag, says declaring Jerusalem a capital is disregarding history and the truth in the region, plunging the region and the world into a ‘fire with no end in sight’.
Responding to this development, the Turkish Government calls on “everyone to act logically, respect the agreements they signed and behave reasonably, avoid risking world peace for domestic politics or other reasons”.
Also, Turkish Foreign Minister, Metluv Cavusoglu, added that the whole World was against the United States move.
“It would be a grave mistake [to move the US embassy. It will not bring any stability… but rather chaos and instability”.
The Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), reacting, issued a statement saying its 57 Member States should sever ties with any State that transfers its embassy to Jerusalem or recognizes Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem.
Prime Minister of Palestine, Rami Hamdallah, stated that this act will fuel conflict and increase violence in the entire region.
The ruling Palestinian party called for mass protests against the move by the United States of America.
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May, said she would discuss with Trump, emphasizing that Britain’s position remains the same.
“Our position [remains] that the status of Jerusalem should be determined in a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians, and Jerusalem should ultimately form a shared capital between the Israeli and Palestinian States”.
King Salman of Saudi Arabia said Trump’s decision would constitute a flagrant provocation to Muslims, all over the World.
King Abdullah II of Jordan says the decision will have serious implications that will undermine efforts by the United States to resume the peace process between Palestine and Israel and will also provoke Muslims and Christians alike.
The relocation of Israel’s capital to Jerusalem would mean all Embassies in Tel Aviv would also be moved. The United States has already directed the State Department to begin a three-year process of moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
