Shoukry heads Egypt's Delegation to OIC Summit on Jerusalem

CAIRO - 11 December 2017: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry will visit Istanbul, Turkey on Wednesday, December 13 to participate in a summit hosted by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.


A spokesperson for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry Ahmed Abu Zeid, revealed that Shoukry's visit came in the aftermath of the U.S. decision to recognize occupied Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Scheduled to be held on an urgent basis, the summit is set to deal with the repercussions of said decision.


This summit is not the first in reaction to the American decision to move its embassy in Israel. The Pan-Arab Parliament held an urgent session Monday at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo to discuss the repercussions of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.


The parliament is mainly set to issue a resolution reflecting Arab views regarding the latest U.S. move, which they believe contradicts all international resolutions on the historic and legal status of Jerusalem. In a recent statement, Arab Parliament speaker deemed the U.S. decision a blatant challenge to all international resolutions relating to the Palestinian cause.


Likewise, Abu Zeid added that the foreign minister will review the Egyptian stance rejecting the U.S.’s decision and any consequences it entails. Shoukry will also discuss Egypt's endeavors to minimize the negative consequences of the U.S. decision, the latest of which is the Egyptian-Palestinian summit to be held on Monday in Cairo.


The American decision has led to broad reactions in the Arab world and internationally. In an emergency meeting held on Saturday to discuss Trump's decision, Arab foreign ministers called on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to issue a resolution confirming that the U.S.’s decision contradicts international legitimate resolutions.


They unanimously rejected the said decision which violates international laws and UNSC’s resolutions and stressed their belief that the decision is illegal, as it undermines the peace process, deepens tensions and elicits anger.