JEDDAH: The Israeli occupation of Palestinian and the Arab territories is a core issue for the whole world including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC); therefore, the general secretariat expressed its anger regarding Donald Trump’s announcement recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The organization expressed its rejection of the decision, which undermines the political, legal and historical status of Jerusalem, a clear violation of international laws and resolutions, and a departure from the international consensus on the status of Jerusalem, and the requirements of peace in general, thus undermining the American role as a sponsor of the peace process.
The organization stressed it will convene an extraordinary summit for leaders of OIC member states in Istanbul on December 12 and 13 to discuss the repercussions of the American decision, and to formulate a unified Islamic position on this dangerous escalation.
The Palestinian issue remains the most prominent political challenge at both the regional and international levels. Israel, the occupying power, persists in defying the will of the international community through its forceful occupation of Palestine and the Arab territories since June 4, 1967, violating international conventions and UN resolutions.
The secretary-general of the organization, Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, in a speech he gave on the occasion of International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, expressed the organization’s deep regret over the declaration of the US administration to recognize the city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the transfer of its embassy to it, stressing that the organization strongly condemns any steps or actions which contribute to changing the legal and historical status of Jerusalem.
“This decision violates the rights of the Palestinian people, and violates the resolutions of the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly regarding the Palestinian issue, and undermines the efforts to push forward the peace process and the chances of realizing the vision of a two-state solution,” he said.
The OIC stressed its commitment to working with the representatives of the international community to confront this irresponsible decision and to support Arab and international efforts to achieve peace based on the vision of a two-state solution, and to reestablish the State of Palestine with its capital Jerusalem and end the Israeli occupation.
Mahmoud Al-Asadi, consul general of the State of Palestine in Jeddah, said: “Allah has forever painted the historical relationship between the Muslims and the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, and Jerusalem was and will always remain the eternal Arab Islamic capital of the State of Palestine.”
He told Arab News: “On December 6, Donald Trump the president of the United States, recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel … However, this decision, which he has taken does not make any difference because our right in Jerusalem is a clear and fixed right.”
He added: “Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Palestine.”
