Arabs demand repeal of Jerusalem decision
Foreign ministers dub Trump’s declaration a push to ‘bloodshed’
CAIRO — Arab foreign ministers on Saturday demanded that the United States rescind President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, calling it a “grave” development that puts Washington on the same side as the occupation and the violation of international law.
In a strongly-worded resolution long on rhetoric but short on meaningful actions, the ministers also called for the U.N. Security Council to adopt a resolution condemning Trump’s decision.
For example, the draft resolution obtained by the Associated Press did not include any punitive actions against the United States, like calling for a boycott of American products or suspending or downgrading ties with Washington.
Trump’s decision, said the resolution, stripped the U.S. of its role as a “sponsor and broker” in the Middle East peace process. “It undermines efforts to bring about peace, deepens tension and will spark anger that will threaten to push the region to the edge of the abyss of violence, chaos and bloodshed.”
Trump’s announcement on Jerusalem, and his intention to move the U.S. Embassy there, triggered denunciations from around the world, with even close allies suggesting he had needlessly stirred more conflict in an already volatile region.
Jerusalem’s status lies at the core of the Israeli-Palestinians conflict, and Trump’s move was widely perceived as siding with Israel.
Protests and demonstrations continued across the West Bank and Gaza on Saturday on the third and final so-called Palestinian “day of rage” following Trump’s announcement.
Israeli airstrikes killed two Hamas members early Saturday following a rocket attack on Israel.
The military said there were clashes in some 20 locations. In Bethlehem, Palestinians hurled stones at Israeli troops, who responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades. The Israeli military said some 600 Palestinians were throwing firebombs and rolling burning tires toward Israeli forces. It said it dispersed the crowds and arrested six rioters.
In Cairo, the head of Egypt’s largest Christian church announced that he would not meet with Vice President Mike Pence when he visits Dec. 20. A similar decision was taken Friday by the head of Cairo’s al-Azhar mosque, Sunni Islam’s top seat of learning.
The resolution adopted by the ministers reiterated that only the creation of an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital would end the Arab-Israeli conflict.