Arab League Chief Says US Jerusalem Decision “Void”

Cairo, MINA – Arab League Secretary General Ahmad Abul Gheit Saturday described the US recognition of Jerusalem as “void,” and that it would torpoedo the Arab confidence in America as a “historic sponsor” of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, KUNA reported.

Abul Gheit, addressing an urgent Arab Foreign Ministers’ meeting over Jerusalem, called on countries that did not yet recognize the State of Palestine to do so as soon as possible.

Recognizing the Palestinian state is important more than ever in order to support the international legitimacy, which was violated by US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and transfer of US embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied city, he said.

Abul Gheit, who appreciated the world’s rejection to the US decision which showed how the Americans and Israelis were isolated, said the reaction to the US decision “should be the recognition of the independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

He noted that UN Security Council resolution 478 (1980) rejected Israel’s annexation of Jerusalem and UNSC resolution 2334 (2016) did not recognize Israel’s change to the 1967 borders.

The international law considers Jerusalem an occupied land and the US decision does not change this reality, he said.

The US decision, said Abul Gheit, would force the Palestinians to reconsider objectives of the peace process.

The US and Israel are to blame for any security deterioration in occupied Palestinian lands, he said.

Foreign Minister of Djibouti Mahmoud Yusuf, whose country chairs the meeting, said the US decision was biased for the Israeli occupation and a blatant violation of international law.

Kuwait is represented by First Deputy prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

The urgent meeting was called by Jordan and Palestine. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)