ANKARA: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will send a “strong message” against the United States decision on Jerusalem, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Tuesday.
Speaking to a private broadcaster in a live interview, Cavusoglu said an Islamic summit in Istanbul will focus on U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The OIC will hold the emergency summit to discuss recent regional developments, especially as they pertain to Jerusalem.
Last week, Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and relocate the U.S. Embassy to the city.
The dramatic shift in longstanding U.S. policy drew angry reactions — including numerous demonstrations — from across the Middle East.
“We are working on an Istanbul Declaration,” Cavusoglu said, noting that a joint declaration will be announced after the meeting which will “strongly reject” the U.S. move.
He underlined that the Islamic summit will also call on the countries which have yet to recognize Palestinian statehood for recognition of Palestine.
“The decision taken by the United States will be rejected strongly. A country like the U.S. should not fall into this situation… We will expect the U.S. to return from this mistake. This decision will be counted as null and void,” Cavusoglu said.
Turkey’s foreign minister noted that Ankara had recognized Palestine as a state with East Jerusalem its capital.
