JERUSALEM: OIC members reject Trump’s decision as Palestinian leader says it “is a crime”

The decision to name Jerusalem as the new capital of Israel by the United States of America has been rejected by members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at a summit in Istanbul, Turkey.

Speaking through its secretary general Yousef al-Othaimeen on Wednesday at the opening of the summit, the group urged Muslim leaders to work together to present a united response against the decision which was made by President Donald Trump.

“The OIC rejects and condemns the American decision,” he said. “This is a violation of international law … and this is a provocation of the feelings of Muslims within the world … it will create a situation of instability in the region and in the world.”

Also speaking at the summit, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the US had “disqualified” itself from future Israel-Palestine peace talks after proving its “bias in favour of Israel”.

Abbas added that the decision violated international law and that it is a war crime.

Read also: Jerusalem decision risks escalating tensions in the Middle East, Putin & Erdogan warn US

“We shall not accept any role for the United States in the peace process, they have proven their full bias in favour of Israel,” he said.

“Jerusalem is and always will be the capital of Palestine,” Abbas added.

Yesterday, Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin both warned the US that the decision to name Jerusalem as the new capital of Israel will only escalate tension in the Middle East.

The warning was issued by both leaders during Putin’s whirlwind one-day regional tour which saw him stopover in Ankara where he joined his Turkish counterpart in criticising the decision by the US.

After a meeting with Erdogan in the Turkish capital, Putin commented on the development saying Jerusalem’s status should be settled through direct talks between Palestinians and Israel.

On his part, Erdogan said he was “pleased” by Putin’s stand, and condemned Israel over the deaths of Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories as protests against Trump’s plan continue for a sixth day there.

 

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