Algeria rejects Trump’s plan recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

CAIRO – 30 January 2020: Unlike many other Arab countries, Algeria voiced rejection of the Middle East peace plan sponsored by US President Donald Trump, which gives Israel the right to have Jerusalem as its capital.

In a statement published on Wednesday, the Algerian Foreign Ministry referred to the declaration of Trump’s “so-called Deal of the Century,” and affirmed sticking to the Arab Peace Initiative endorsed by the League of Arab States in 2002 at the Beirut Summit.

The Algerian ministry also affirmed abiding by the Palestinian people’s “inalienable” right to establish an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, according to the statement.

Algeria called for unifying the Palestinian stance and highlighted the need for coordination of joint work of Arab and international communities, in order to break the deadlock of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has lasted for dozens of years.

Meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, Trump presented his peace plan on Middle East, giving Israel the right to annex West Bank settlements and to have Jerusalem as its capital, a move that initially angered many Arab countries when announced late in 2017.

I will always stand with the State of Israel and the Jewish people. I strongly support their safety and security and their right to live within their historical homeland. It's time for peace! pic.twitter.com/lKwQ9IKTUG

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2020

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement issued Tuesday that Egypt appreciates the American efforts to realize a comprehensive and fair peaceful resolution for the Palestinian cause in a way that contributes to the stability and security of the Middle East.

“Egypt values the American administration’s initiative to reach a fair settlement for the Palestinian cause in a way that restores the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights that include the establishment of an independent state with full sovereignty over the occupied lands in accordance with the International legitimacy,” read the statement.

Therefore, Egypt calls on the two relevant parties to undertake a careful and thorough consideration of the US vision to achieve peace and open channels of dialogue, under US auspices, for the resumption of negotiations.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar took a similar stance and made carefully worded statements that all look almost the same.

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Additional reporting by Et Staff