Trump's Jerusalem move: Arab allies attack decision

Source: BBC


Trump's Jerusalem move: Arab allies attack decision

31 minutes ago

Arab officials say US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital risks plunging the Middle East into "violence and chaos". The move ended US neutrality on one of the region's most sensitive issues. Arab League foreign ministers now say it means the US cannot be relied upon as a broker of Middle East peace.

The statement by 22 countries, including close US allies, comes after a third day of violence and protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Israel has always regarded Jerusalem as its capital, while the Palestinians claim East Jerusalem - occupied by Israel in the 1967 war - as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
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The Arab League resolution was agreed at 03:00 (01:00 GMT) after hours of talks in Cairo. It was backed by a number of US allies, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, who had already voiced their concern.

The resolution said:
◾The US had "withdrawn itself as a sponsor and broker" of any possible Israeli-Palestinian peace process through its decision
◾Mr Trump's move "deepens tension, ignites anger and threatens to plunge region into more violence and chaos"
◾A request would be made for the UN Security Council to condemn the move
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Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42297437