ISLAMABAD – Pakistan to call an emergency session of the Organisation ofthe Islamic Conference and the United Nations General Assembly to stop theUnited States from moving its embassy to Jerusalem in Israel, officialssaid.
Senior officials at the foreign ministry told The Nation that Pakistan hadcontacted the Muslim-majority countries, seeking their support against thecontroversial US decision that could threaten peace.
One official said: “We are in contact with the Arab countries, Turkey andothers to discuss the issue again at the OIClink> and UN forums. Shifting of the US embassyto the disputed Jerusalem will only complicate the Palestine issue. Almostthe entire world has rejected this decision (of the US).”
The official said that emergency OIC link> andUNGA sessions link> would put pressure onthe US to at least delay its plan.
Over the weekend, the US announced it will officially move the US embassyin Israel to Jerusalem by May. Under the new arrangement, signed bySecretary of State Rex Tillerson on February 22, Ambassador David Friedmanand a small group of staff will take up work in an existing US consulate inJerusalem’s Arnona neighborhood in May, to coincide with the 70thanniversary of Israel’s founding. Expansion of the facility will take placeby the end of 2019, the US State Department said.
US President Donald Trump announced in December 2017 that he wasrecognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and would move the embassy therefrom Tel Aviv. Last month, Vice President Mike Pence had told the Israeliparliament that the embassy move would take place in 2019 but the Trumpadministration has announced a new schedule.
Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is a controversial decision asthe eastern part of the city – home to some of the holiest ancient sites inJudaism, Christianity and Islam – is also claimed by Palestinians as thecapital of a future state.
President Trump’s decision provoked protests in the Muslim world. The OIClink> session in December last year condemned thedecision while the UNGA voted 128-9 to reject the plan. Only nine states,including the US and Israel, voted in favour of Washington. The othercountries which supported the US were Togo, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau,Marshall Islands, Guatemala and Honduras.
link>Pakistanlink> had reacted strongly to the USdecision saying it is “deeply regrettable that pleas from states across theglobe not to alter the legal and historical status of Al-Quds Al-Sharifhave been ignored, more out of choice than necessity.”
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said: “This decisionrepresents a serious violation of international law and applicable UNSecurity Council resolutions, more specifically UNSCR 478. It is a serioussetback to the rule of law and international norms. It signals a severeblow to the Middle East peace process as well.”
Washington is Israel’s key ally and provides more than $3 billion annuallyin defence aid. Former US president Barack Obama was ‘frustrated’ withIsrael’s new settlements but Trump has taken a U-turn.
Foreign Minister Khawaja Mohammed Asif condemned President Trump’sannouncement of recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The ministersaid the decision of shifting US embassy will alter the status of Jerusalem.
He said that Trump’s decision was an affront to Palestinians and theMuslims across the world and “is practically burying the two statessolution. This will add another wound to already bleeding body of MuslimUmmah (nation).”
Another official at the foreign ministry said Turkey andlink>Pakistanlink> were playing a lead role together tochallenge Trump’s decision.
“Time will tell how successful we are, but the issue is being highlightedby link>Pakistanlink> at all levels. We will seeklink> another snub from the UN and OIClink> (to the US) besides taking it up at theindependently. If they move the embassy in May, it will be a slap in theface of the Muslims who have been supporting the Palestine cause. All theMuslim-majority countries including Saudi Arabia have a unanimous view onthis issue,” he said.