Arab foreign ministers condemned on Saturday US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move his country’s capital there.
During an emergency meeting in Cairo, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki warned that the move will have “dangerous repercussions on the region.”
He also warned that Trump has given those seeking a religious war an excuse to wage it.
“Jerusalem will remain the eternal capital of the state of Palestine and it is an integral part of Palestine,” he added.
Furthermore, he thanked Arab and Muslim countries for their support of the Palestinians in their condemnation of Trump’s decision.
He also demanded that an Arab committee be tasked with devising a draft United Nations Security Council resolution on Jerusalem.
“Washington has isolated itself from playing any role in the peace process.”
“There can be no peace without the establishment of a Palestinian state and there can be no Palestinian state without Jerusalem as its capital,” he concluded.
Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit declared that the response to Trump’s decision should be the recognition of the state of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital.
“Washington's move on Jerusalem has no international legal basis and therefore any ensuing decisions linked to it are void,” he added.
“Jerusalem, by international law, is an occupied city and Israel has no sovereignty over it,” he continued before the gatherers.
Washington’s decision is therefore “rejected and unjustifiable” and it pushes the Arab countries to “reconsider” Washington’s role in the peace process.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi voiced Amman’s rejection of Trump’s decision, demanding the international community to recognize the state of Palestine.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri warned that Trump’s move will be “exploited by terrorists and extremists to carry out attacks in the region.”
“The decision drives the region towards the edge of the abyss,” he warned.
He therefore demanded that the international community exert efforts to implement the two-state solution.
“Egypt will always stand by the Palestinian people and their rights at all international meetings because achieving these rights is key to peace and stability in the region,” he concluded.
