IPU stresses Trump’s decision undermines peaceful settlement

CAIRO – 10 December 2017: The Inter-Parliamentary Union stressed on Sunday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision of recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital contradicts Security Council resolution No. 1334.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union expressed in a statement its sorrow over Trump’s decision of moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, indicating that such a decision will affect the peace process in the Middle East.

This illegal decision undermines the law and political position of peaceful settlement between Palestine and Israel that guarantees the establishment of an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital, added the Union.

Inter-Parliamentary Union will continue its effort to promote dialogue and peace between the two sides as well as the Middle East, the Union further stated.

On Wednesday night, United States’ President Donald Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel during a televised speech from the White House. Trump’s decision was met by a barrage of criticism and condemnations from many Arab and world leaders, while protests took place in the Gaza Strip and West Bank as well as different parts of the Arab world.

Clashes broke out between Israeli forces and Palestinians in the West Bank on Friday; Israeli forces fired tear gas on the protesters, killing two Palestinians and injuring more than 300 others. On Saturday, the Israeli airstrikes killed two other Palestinians and injured dozens, raising the injured toll to 1,114 people, according to Palestinian Ministry of Health on Saturday.