OIC-affiliated forum condemns US Jerusalem move

A youth forum affiliated with Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) today condemned the US move to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

In a statement, Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation said the “ill-advised” decision by US President Donald Trump “undermines the prospect of a just solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”

Trump’s decision also contradicts with the opinion of the international community, violates international law and harms the country’s “honest broker” role in mediation efforts, according to the statement.

It concluded with the cooperation’s call on OIC Heads of State to take the “necessary action” and “solidarity” during the gathering in Istanbul on Wednesday.

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Turkey will host an extraordinary meeting of the OIC on 13 December on invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his capacity as the current chair of the OIC Summit.

Despite widespread international opposition, the US president announced on Wednesday his decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

According to Trump, the US State Department has been told to begin preparations for relocating the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The dramatic shift in Washington’s Jerusalem policy triggered demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq and other Muslim countries.