Islamic Leaders Call for Countering States That Relocated Embassies to Jerusalem

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 01st June, 2019) The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Saturday called on its member states to take action against the countries that chose to relocate their embassies or trade missions to Jerusalem.

The organization finished its 14th summit, convened by Saudi Arabia, in Mecca earlier in the day.

"[The OIC conference] calls on states that have relocated their embassies or opened trade missions in the Holy City, to relinquish this move ... [and] called on its member states to take necessary measures to counter the states who chose to do this [relocate embassies to Jerusalem]," the final statement of the forum read, as quoted by Al-Arabiya.

The OIC said it considered the decision of some countries to relocate their embassies to Jerusalem to be a grave violation of international law and undermining of the middle Eastern peace process.

Moreover, this decision "responds to interests of radicalism and terrorism; and threatens security and global peace," the statement read.

In December 2017, the United States recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. However, the city is claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians.

In May 2018, the United States relocated its embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, prompting the outrage of the Muslim world. Australia, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Guatemala and Honduras have also recognized Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.

Meanwhile, the United Nations urged its member states to refrain from moving diplomatic missions to Jerusalem until the city's legal status is settled.