Pakistan urges US to revisit decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital
This decision represents a serious violation of international law, the Government of Pakistan said.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan on Thursday joined the international community in expressing its strong opposition and condemnation at the decision of the US Administration to recognize the occupied city of Jerusalem as the so-called capital of Israel and the plan to relocate its Embassy there.
“It is deeply regrettable that pleas from States across the globe not to alter the legal and historical status of Al-Quds Al-Sharif have been ignored, more out of choice than necessity,” the government stated in a press release.
“This decision represents a serious violation of international law and applicable UN Security Council resolutions, more specifically UNSCR 478. It is a serious setback to the rule of law and international norms. It signals a severe blow to the Middle East peace process as well.”
READ: Trump recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, sparks firestorm
Pakistan shares the international outrage and is deeply concerned over the implications of this decision for international peace and security, especially in the Middle East. Pakistan calls upon the UN Security Council to take cognizance of this situation and take steps in accordance with the UN Charter, the government added.
Islamabad urged the United Sates to revisit its decision as soon as possible in order to avoid the potentially grave repercussions in the region and beyond.
The Government of Pakistan also welcomed the announcement by Turkey to convene an Islamic Summit next week to discuss this serious issue.
RESOLUTIONS TABLED
Earlier today, separate resolutions were tabled in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab assemblies, condemning to US move to shift its embassy to Jerusalem.
ERDOGAN LASHES OUT AT TRUMP
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday lashed out at his US counterpart Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, saying it would put the region in a "ring of fire".
"Taking this type of step puts the world, especially the region, in a ring of fire," Erdogan said in a speech to supporters at Ankara airport before heading on a visit to Greece.
"Hey Trump! What do you want to do?" he said, addressing the US leader directly in one of Erdogan’s most familiar rhetorical habits.
"What kind of approach is this? Political leaders do not stir things up, they seek to make peace!" he added.
There were chants of "damn Israel!" and boos from Erdogan supporters gathered at the airport when the president first mentioned the US move.
In a speech on Wednesday, Trump overturned decades of US policy with a decision to recognise the disputed city. He also kicked off the process of moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Erdogan accused Trump of trying to be an agitator and said the decision "completely disregarded" the 1980 UN resolution on the contested city’s status.
Turkey will hold a leaders’ summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Wednesday in Istanbul to discuss Trump’s decision.
Turkey currently holds the chairmanship of the OIC.
Erdogan said work continued for other events planned for after this summit but he did not give further detail.
PROTESTS
Around 1,500 people gathered outside the US consulate in Istanbul on Wednesday night to protest against Trump, chanting slogans such as "down with America!".
Erdogan said he was due to speak with Pope Francis on Thursday evening or on Friday, as well as with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Western allies including Germany.
"This is now not just the duty of Muslims, but also of humanity" to oppose the move, Erdogan added.
He hit back at Trump saying that being strong did not mean that you were automatically right but that "the righteous are the strong".
with additional input from AFP
