Muslim world leaders say Trump's Jerusalem decision 'eliminates the possibility of peace'


Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told Muslim leaders in Turkey on Wednesday that "from now on" America does not have a legitimate role in the Middle Eastern peace process, The Associated Press writes. The decision follows President Trump's controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a move Abbas described as a "crime" and proof that America is not "fit" to act as a mediator.
A large number of U.S. allies were outspokenly against Trump's decision, including many leaders of Muslim-majority nations. America expects "the Islamic nation to remain silent," Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at the same conference. "But we will never be silent. This bullying eliminates the possibility of peace and the grounds for shared life. The U.S.'s decision is null for us."
America is already experiencing its diminished influence in the region, with next week's scheduled meeting between Abbas and Vice President Mike Pence canceled in response to the Trump administration's Jerusalem decision. That might throw a wrench in Trump's promise in September to make "the deal of the century" by reaching peace in the Middle East.
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.
"I think we have a pretty good shot," Trump had said at the time. "Maybe the best shot ever."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Burkina Faso's misinformation war
Under The Radar The president of the West African country has quickly become the face of a viral, AI-powered propaganda campaign
-
Jeffrey Epstein's secrets
Feature Six years after his death, conspiracy theories still swirl around the sex trafficker. Why?
-
Voting: Trump's ominous war on mail ballots
Feature Donald Trump wants to sign an executive order banning mail-in ballots for the 2026 midterms
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raid
Speed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'
Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
RFK Jr. faces bipartisan heat in Senate hearing
Speed Read The health secretary defended his leadership amid CDC turmoil and deflected questions about the restricted availability of vaccines
-
White House defends boat strike as legal doubts mount
Speed Read Experts say there was no legal justification for killing 11 alleged drug-traffickers
-
Epstein accusers urge full file release, hint at own list
speed read A rally was organized by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who are hoping to force a vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act
-
Court hands Harvard a win in Trump funding battle
Speed Read The Trump administration was ordered to restore Harvard's $2 billion in research grants
-
Florida aims to end all state vaccine requirements
Speed Read Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues to cut vaccine access and install anti-vaccine activists at the FDA and CDC
-
US kills 11 on 'drug-carrying boat' off Venezuela
Speed Read Trump claimed those killed in the strike were 'positively identified Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists' shipping drugs to the US