Arab League calls Trump to reverse decision over Jerusalem

CAIRO – 9 December 2017: The Arab League’s spokesman Mahmoud Afify said on Saturday that the Arab League (AL) called on the U.S. administration to reverse its decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

“Saturday’s meeting aims to discuss actions in response to the United States’ decision to declare occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to defend the legal, historical and religious status of the city,” added Afify to Extra News channel.

Afify pointed out that there are many question about the U.S.’ position in the peace process of the region, indicating that it is not the appropriate time to withdraw from international agreements.

“The Arab League points out that members of the international community acknowledge Palestine’s status as an occupied state,” said AL’s spokesman.

On Wednesday, Jordan and Palestine requested an emergency meeting between Arab foreign ministers to discuss future actions in response to the United State’s decision to declare occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Earlier, Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit strongly condemned the American administration's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the relocation of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Gheit warned against the “dangerous magnitude of the negative consequences” of this decision, suggesting that the decision will stand in the way of peace, illustrating that the U.S. does not properly understand the situation.

The Secretary-General said in a Wednesday press statement, “Jerusalem has its special status in the hearts of the Arab Christian or Muslims,” describing the move as a futile attempt to manipulate the cities fate.