East Jerusalem declared capital of Palestine by 57 Muslim nations
Islamic leaders sign letter condemning Donald Trump and say US has relinquished its role as Middle East peace broker
Leaders of Muslim nations have declared East Jerusalem the “occupied capital” of a Palestinian state, in a rebuke to Donald Trump’s announcement that the US will recognise the Holy City as the capital of Israel.
Trump’s decision last week drew condemnation from across the Muslim world, as well as from western leaders, the EU and UN, and sparked mass protests.
Meeting in Istanbul, the 57 Muslim nations that make up the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation signed a communique declaring Trump’s decision “null and void”, and claimed the move signalled Washington’s withdrawal from its role in the Middle East peace process.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Addressing an emergency meeting of the group, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that “Jerusalem is and always will be the capital of Palestine” and described Trump’s decision as “the greatest crime”.
He also repeated calls for the UN to take over leadership of the peace process, “since [the US] is biased in favour of Israel”.
Revered by Jews, Muslims and Christians, Jerusalem was divided by the UN as part of the post-war partition of Israel and Palestine. In 1967, Arab East Jerusalem was captured by Israeli forces during the Six Day War and later annexed in an action not recognised by the US, until now.
The issue of Jerusalem has dominated Palestinian-Israeli relations over the past half century and remains the major stumbling block to peace in the region.
Following last week’s announcement, which was applauded by Israel, Trump said his decision was nothing more than “a recognition of reality” and would not affect any peace agreement. Yet this has not stopped some of his staunchest Middle Eastern allies, including Saudi Arabia, from expressing concern at its potential repercussions.
King Abdullah of Jordan, which signed a peace treaty with Israel more than 20 years ago, told the Istanbul summit he rejected any attempt to change the status quo of Jerusalem and its holy sites. Iran, which has repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel, said the Muslim world should overcome internal problems through dialogue in order to unite against a common enemy.
However, says the BBC’s Mark Lowen, “some Muslim leaders are more pro-Trump than others and there is little chance that this summit will change US policy”.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
A history of student protest at Columbia University
The Explainer Anti-Israel demonstrations at NYC's Ivy League university echo protests against Vietnam War and South African apartheid
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Trump is ruled in contempt'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Hainault sword attack: police hunt for motive
Speed Read Mental health is key line of inquiry, as detectives prepare to interview suspect
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published