AU joins world leaders in rebuking Trump
THE African Union (AU) has joined other world leaders in rebuking the United States over the announcement made by President Donald Trump on Wednesday that they now recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and Washington would soon move its embassy from Tel Aviv.
AU Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat in a statement said he noted with deep concern “the decision of the United States Government. . . to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel”, and said he regretted the decision.
Mr Mahamat said this latest development would escalate “tensions in the (Middle East) region and beyond and further complicate the search for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
The African Union also reiterated the solidarity between the continental body and the Palestinian people, “and its support to their legitimate quest for an independent and sovereign State with East Jerusalem as its capital”.
He called for renewed international efforts to find a lasting solution to the Palestinian-Israeli question, based on the two-state solution, and “within the framework of relevant African Union and United Nations pronouncements.”
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) said it would discuss a possible downgrade, or complete closure of the South African Embassy in Israel at the forthcoming elective Congress that commences on December 16.
In a statement, the ANC affiliate, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said they, “strongly condemn the reckless and provocative decision by USA President Donald Trump to formally recognise the city of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital . . . This outrageous decision is further proof of the level of deterioration of the Trump Administration and the American political system as a whole.”
“Donald Trump’s decision also violates International Law and should be opposed by all peace-loving people,” added the statement from Cosatu.
Many feel Washington’s move, announced on Wednesday after weeks of speculation, threatens to upend stability across the region and ruin any remaining prospects to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Here is how head of states and senior officials reacted to Trump’s announcement.
Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian Authority president, lambasted the US’ decision and stated Jerusalem is the “eternal capital of the State of Palestine”.
“The decision by President Trump will not change the reality of the city of Jerusalem and will not give any legitimacy to the Israelis on this issue,” he told reporters in a televised address.
Abbas labelled the decision a “reward to Israel”, adding that Trump’s move encouraged Israel’s “continuing occupation” of the Palestinian territories.
Michel Aoun, Lebanon’s president, said the US decision threatened the peace process and stability in the wider Middle East.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri said on his Twitter account that Lebanon deplores and rejects Trump’s decision.
Expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people he added, “(Lebanon announces) their (Palestinian’s) right to the creation of an independent state whose capital is Jerusalem,” he added.
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