The Sultanate expresses its deep sorrow over the decision made by the US President Donald Trump regarding Al Quds (Jerusalem). The Sultanate stresses that such a decision is valueless and that such issues should be left for the negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli parties within the framework of the final solution negotiations.
The Sultanate also urges the international community to abide by the provisions of the international law and not to take any decisions or procedures or measures that are in contradiction with the international legitimacy resolutions especially the Security Council Resolution No 242 which affirms that the lands occupied by Israel after 5th of June 1967 are “occupied lands”.
In a landmark speech in Washington on Wednesday, Trump reversed decades of US policy in defiance of warnings that recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital will derail the fragile Israeli-Palestinian peace process and spark further unrest.
Trump said he would tell the State Department to begin preparations to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem but that the US still supported a two-state solution to the long-standing conflict.
The announcement prompted a global diplomatic backlash and sparked protests in Palestinian territories on Thursday as fears grew of fresh bloodshed in the volatile Middle East.
Palestinian protesters clashed with Israeli soldiers in Ramallah and other places in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Authority called for a general strike. In Gaza, the Hamas appealed for a mass uprising.
Palestinian shops in east Jerusalem, including the Old City, as well as in the West Bank were largely shut and schools were closed on Thursday.
At a checkpoint near Ramallah, Israeli forces fired dozens of rounds of tear gas and stun grenades at hundreds of protesters gathered to vent their anger over Trump’s announcement that has upset even Washington’s allies.
Trump’s decision was met with global dismay, drawing criticism from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia and more. Western allies of the US such as Britain, Germany, Canada and France refused to side with Washington. China and Russia too expressed displeasure.
The UN Security Council will discuss the issue on Friday after eight of the 15 nations called for an emergency session. The Arab League will meet on Saturday. — Agencies
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