Islamic countries against Trump: East Jerusalem, capital of Palestine

The OIC leaders define the declaration of the White House that recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel "null and void". An "attack" on the rights of the Palestinian people that undermines peace efforts. A UN Security Council resolution was presented to show Washington's international isolation.

Istanbul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The leaders of the 57 member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), met yesterday in Istanbul at the request of Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, invoking the recognition of East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine. In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting, the Muslim world [united] responds strongly to the unilateral decision of US President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to arrange the transfer of the US embassy.

In the note the heads of state and government of the Muslim countries have defined "null and void" the declaration of the White House, which has raised protests and indignation - with dead and wounded - and concerned by Pope Francis and the Christian leaders of the region . With this choice, they add, Washington has effectively abdicated its role as mediator in the peace process in the Middle East.

Speaking at the OIC summit in Turkey, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas emphasized that it is now "unacceptable" for the United States to hold the role of arbitrator and guarantor, as it has clearly expressed "itself in favor of Israel". He added that the Palestinian leadership tried to negotiate with the US administration to reach "the agreement of the century" but, in return, received "the slap of the century".

Muslim majority nations - including the Saudis, among the closest US allies in the region - strongly reject Washington's unilateral decision, considering it an "attack" on the rights of the Palestinian people. They accuse the United States of "deliberately" undermining peace efforts and warn that such a move will end up giving "new vigor to terrorism".

Finally, the OIC calls on the international community to "recognize the state of Palestine and East Jerusalem its occupied capital". They conclude that the United Nations now has the task of reaffirming respect for the status quo and international law in the area.

The US reaction was immediate accusing Palestinian leader Abu Mazen of rhetoric  and of having "prevented a peace agreement for years". A source in the US administration, behind anonymity, said he expected "a similar reaction" from the Palestinians, but we continue "in our plan, which will benefit the Israeli and Palestinian people".

While Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu says he is "not impressed" by the OIC communiqué and "in the end the truth will triumph and many nations will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, arranging for the transfer of embassies".

Meanwhile, a UN Security Council resolution against US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is being examined by the United Nations. Arab and western sources reveal that the goal of member countries is to show Washington's isolation internationally. "The important thing - reveals a Palestinian diplomatic source behind anonymity - is to have the support of 14 of the 15 member countries of the Security Council" with the obvious opposition of the United States, one of the five permanent and veto carrying Member States.