Arab ministers want Trump decision rescinded
CAIRO — Arab foreign ministers 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 Israeli occupation and violates international law.
In a 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.
The draft resolution did not include any punitive actions against the United States, like calling for a boycott of American products or downgrading ties with Washington. But Arab diplomats said some Arab League members had wanted the resolution to include punitive measures against any country that follows the U.S. example and recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
That, according to the diplomats, was considered too radical by moderate Arab nations and eventually dropped. The diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity.
Trump’s decision, said the resolution, strips 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, even from close allies.
Jerusalem’s status lies at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Trump’s move was widely perceived as siding with Israel. Even small crises over Jerusalem’s status and that of the holy sites have sparked deadly bloodshed in the past.
Protests continued Saturday for the third consecutive day in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, while in Cairo the head of Egypt’s largest Christian church announced he would not meet U.S. Vice President Mike Pence when he visits Cairo Dec. 20. A similar decision was taken Friday by the head of Cairo’s al-Azhar mosque.