Arab FMs reject U.S. decision on Jerusalem

Arab foreign ministers declared early on Sunday that the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital is illegal, warning further violence in the region.

The ministers from member-states of the Arab League held a prolonged urgent meeting in Cairo started in Saturday evening, and urged the United States to withdraw its decision, describing the move as a violation of the international law.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he acknowledged Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and decided to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The U.S. decision has no legal effect, the Arab ministers said in their final statement, adding that it undermines peace efforts, deepens tension, provokes anger and pushes the region into violence and instability.

Trump's declaration received wide criticism and opposition from Arab and Muslim countries.

The Arab foreign ministers have urged world countries to recognize an independent Palestinian state on the territories occupied by Israel in 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

They have pointed out that the United States has isolated itself as a peace mediator and sponsor after making this decision.

They stressed adherence to peace based on the two-state solution, calling for a UN Security Council resolution to affirm that the U.S. decision goes against the resolutions of international legitimacy.

Jerusalem lies at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

Israel took over East Jerusalem from Jordan in the 1967 war and declared the whole city as its eternal indivisible capital in 1980, but it has not been recognized by the international community.

The Palestinians insist that they should establish an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital in the final settlement.

Under the previous Israeli-Palestinian peace accord, the status of Jerusalem should be determined through the final-status talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

source: Xinhua