Turkey condemns 'unacceptable' US decision on Jerusalem
Turkish FM says decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israeli capital is against international law, relevant UN Resolutions
Turkey condemned on Wednesday the U.S. administration's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
"We condemn the irresponsible statement of the US Administration declaring that it recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and it will be moving the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu wrote on his Twitter account.
“This decision is against international law and relevant UN Resolutions."
Turkish Foreign Ministry also issued a statement on the U.S. announcement.
"We condemn the irresponsible statement of the U.S. administration that we learnt with great concern, declaring that it recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and it will be moving the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem," the statement said.
The statement said that the decision is against international law and relevant UN Resolutions, as the annexation of Jerusalem by Israel has been rejected by international community and the UN.
"It has been recurrently emphasized by various UN Resolutions that Palestinian question can only be settled through the existence of an independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
"It is unacceptable that the U.S., a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, ignores this fact. Attainment of independence by Palestine is a historical, conscientious and human obligation. Turkey will continue to advocate this," the statement said.
It further stated that the decision will have negative reflections on the peace and stability in the region and also bears the risk of completely destroying the ground for peace.
It called on the U.S. administration to reconsider "this faulty decision which may result in highly negative outcomes and to avoid uncalculated steps that will harm the multicultural identity and historical status of Jerusalem."
"These developments regarding Jerusalem will be taken up extensively at the OIC [Organisation of Islamic Cooperation] Leaders Summit and the Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting that will be held on 13th December 2017 in İstanbul upon the call made by H.E. President Erdogan as the Summit Chair of the OIC," the statement concluded.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday officially recognized Jerusalem as capital of Israel. Trump has also instructed US State Dept. to ‘begin preparations’ for U.S. embassy in Israel move to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.
