Azhar condemns US standing on Israeli settlements

CAIRO, Nov 20 (MENA) - Al Azhar Al Sharif on Wednesday condemned the statements of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, saying it is a major reversal of the US' longstanding policy on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Al Azhar cited a 1978 State Department legal opinion that deemed the settlements "inconsistent with international law."

In a statement, Azhar asserted that such statements are violating international law and UN conventions which considered settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian territories as "illegal", adding that the US has also taken similar decisions when it declared Jerusalem as a capital of Israel and legalized the settlement construction, warning against the consequences of such decisions.

The statement said such decisions would give Israel the green light to commit more violations and crimes against Palestinians in the occupied territories and would stir feelings of anger and hate among Arabs.

Azhar renewed its call for boycotting such steps which are considered a part of the policy of imposing a status quo, adding that such steps would not change the fact that Israel has usurped the Palestinian lands from its real owners.

Azhar also pressed the need for Arab and Islamic countries to stand by the side of Palestinians and respect all international legitimacy resolutions, calling on right defenders and wise people worldwide to help lift the injustice against Palestinians and support their struggle in the face of tyranny of Israeli occupation.