Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Jordan: Judaizing Jerusalem will bring violence and extremism

Speaking at an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Wednesday, Jordan's King Abdullah II rejected President Donald Trump's announcement recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and ordering the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
 
"There will be no peace in the region unless a Palestinian state is created and its capital is eastern Jerusalem," he said. "US President Donald Trump's announcement is dangerous. Attempts to Judaize Jerusalem and to change its identity will bring additional violence and extremism."
 
Separately, Saudi Arabia's King Salman told Saudi Arabia's Consultative Council, "The kingdom has called for a political solution to resolve regional crises, foremost of which is the Palestinian issue and the restoration of the Palestinian people's legitimate rights, including the right to establish their independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital."
 
Last Wednesday, Trump announced his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and his plans to relocate the US embassy to Jerusalem.
 
On Friday, thousands of Arab rioters protested the declaration, hurling firebombs and stones at Israeli civilians and security personnel. Israeli authorities were forced to respond to the violence with tear gas, rubber bullets, and other crowd-control methods.