AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Al Jazeera
Tuesday

5 December 2017

1:57:05 PM
871130

Erdogan: Jerusalem a red line for Muslims

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to cut diplomatic ties with Israel over reports that the United States plans to recognise Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli capital.

Such a move would be a "red line" for Muslims, Erdogan said on Tuesday.

Reports emerged on Friday that US President Donald Trump was considering recognising Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital, a move that would be symbolised by relocating the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds , upsetting decades of US policy.

The plan has drawn criticism from a number of world leaders, who fear it would further escalate regional tensions.

French President Emmanuel Macron told Trump by telephone that Jerusalem's status must be decided in peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians.

The Arab League was holding an emergency meeting on Tuesday to discuss developments on the status of Jerusalem al-Quds, after a request by Palestinian officials.

The diplomatic adviser of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinian leadership would cut contact with the US if it recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

No country currently has its embassy in Jerusalem al-Quds, and the international community, including the US, does not recognise Israel's jurisdiction over and ownership of the city.

President Donald Trump is also considering moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem al-Quds.

White House spokesperson Hogan Gidley said an announcement would be made "in coming days" but that the president remained committed to the move: "It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when," he said.


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