Cairo / Information Office / December 09

The State of Qatar stressed Saturday that the Palestinian issue, which is the central issue for the Arab and Islamic world, was facing a dangerous development after U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Al Quds as the capital of Israel and issued directives moving the American embassy there.

Qatar said that such a move was a serious escalation and great provocation to the sentiments of millions of Muslims and Christians around the world, in addition to being a clear violation to all agreements and resolutions led by the ones issued by the UN Security Council and General Assembly that annul all the Israeli actions aiming to change Al Quds' legal status.

Qatar also said that the U.S. move was a biased one towards the Israeli occupation and served a great injustice to the historic and legitimate rights of the Palestinians. It also created a reality that everyone must stand firm against its dangerous implications. The State of Qatar also called for unity in support of the struggle of the Palestinian people and urged the international community to take the necessary steps in accordance to international law in dealing with the American decision and defending Al Quds' great historical and religious status.

This came during the speech of HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in the Arab emergency meeting at the level of the Foreign Ministers, which took place Saturday at the headquarters of the Arab League to discuss the decision of U.S. President Donald Trump to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem and to consider the latter as the capital of Israel.

His Excellency noted that the decision has placed the United States' ties with the Arab and Islamic countries at a cross roads, adding that it also reflected a lack of understanding of the implications and consequences of such a decision. His Excellency noted that those consequences increase the complexity of the situation in the Middle-East and threaten security and stability, regionally and worldwide. His Excellency also said that the move spoiled all international efforts regarding a peaceful settlement between the Palestinians and Israelis, which were elusive due to Israel's violations of agreements and attempts of imposing a de facto in its favor.

HE the Deputy Prime Minister said that Denying a fact does not negate its existence, stressing that Al Quds was an Arab city 3000 years BC and will continue to be too great and majestic for anyone to be successful in changing its historic and religious identity, as well as its importance to Arabs and Muslims. His Excellency added that the show of anger which took place all over the world over the past days holds everyone responsible towards the Palestinian people as well as the Arab and Muslim peoples. His Excellency said that it was wrong to assume that Arabs and Muslims will not take action against the latest provocation in supporting the occupation and attempting to change the historic identity of Al Quds.

His Excellency expressed the State of Qatar's strong condemnation and disapproval of the decision, and renewed the country's firm position in support of the Palestinian issue and the struggle of the Palestinian people who are fighting for rights recognized by the international community in establishing a Palestinian state based on the borders of 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital.

His Excellency added that the State of Qatar calls on the international community and Security Council to assume its responsibility in implementing resolutions related to international legitimacy, maintaining the legal and political status of Al Quds, and helping the region avoid further conflicts. Qatar also called on the U.S. administration to revise and withdraw its decision, and to commit to all international community resolutions as they consider East Jerusalem a part of Palestinian land based on the borders of 1967.

HE the Foreign Minister said that the State of Qatar calls on the Arab league and member countries to form a joint plan in light of the critical times facing the Palestinian issue and Al Quds. Qatar also called for assuming the responsibility of facing such a challenge. His Excellency also suggested that Arab countries send delegations abroad, in order to build on the international condemnation of the U.S. decision.

His Excellency also stressed on the importance of providing all the possible legal and diplomatic support to the Palestinians as they stand up to that decision. HE the Foreign Minister also called on not making light of the U.S. decision which can be the cornerstone of further steps down the road, posing a clear threat to Arab and Islamic countries and their dignity.

HE the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted in concluding his remarks that protecting Al Quds' Arab identity was a historic responsibility, renewing support to the Palestinian people in pursuing their right of establishing an independent state of Palestine with Al Quds as its capital.