Palestinian Envoy to UN Urges US to Withdraw its Illegal al-Quds Decision

UNITED NATIONS- Members of the international Security Council expressed their deep concern over US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize al-Quds as the capital of the Israeli occupation entity and to move the US embassy to al-Quds.

Palestine urged the United States to roll back its illegal decision to recognize al-Quds as the capital of Israel, Palestine’s Envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour told members of the Security Council on Friday, Sputnik reported.

 “We urge the Council to act swiftly to uphold integrity over its resolution in light of the violation against Jerusalem’s (al-Quds) historic status,” Mansour said. “We call on the United States to withdraw its illegal decision that has absolutely no meaning except pleasing the occupying power of Israel.”

The action comes after the US President Donald Trump’s Wednesday decision on the recognition of al-Quds as the capital of Israel and moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to al-Quds. The move was welcomed by Israel but condemned by the rest of the international community as one which undermines the peace talks.

Iran

On his part, Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Gholamali Khoshroo said Trump’s decision aimed at legitimizing the Israeli regime’s occupation of Palestine.

“Occupation of the Palestinian land lies at the root of all crises in our region and any action to deny the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including with regard to the holy city of al-Quds and particularly al-Aqsa Mosque, will only result in more bloodshed and rage”.

He added, According to Press TV, that bids aimed at legitimizing the Israeli occupation in the Middle East region by rejecting the historical realities would “gravely” undermine peace.

The Iranian envoy emphasized that the “unilateral” act constitutes a “grave violation of international law,” as any territorial acquisition resulting from the use of force is illegal.

He added that the international community holds the US and the Israeli regime responsible for “all dangerous consequences of this reckless and illegal act.”

Russia

 Vassily Nebenzya, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said that Moscow is alarmed that Washington’s step “poses a risk for the Palestinian-Israeli relations and for the entire region”, Itar Tass reported.

According to the Russian ambassador, “under the current circumstances, it is more important than ever to relaunch a meaningful political process so as to find a final and sustainable solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of a two-state decision.”

Nebenzya pointed out that “in this sense the Quartet of International Mediators will remain as a unique mediation mechanism.”

China

China’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Wu Haitao reiterated that any unilateral moves to change al-Quds situation will undermine the basis for peace settlement and will lead to tension in the region. He urged concerned parties to work for establishing peace and stability in the Middle East and to avoid more tension, the Syrian news agency SANA reported.

“China backs the establishment of an independent sovereign Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital,” Haitao said, pointing out that “this stance won’t change as it is the right track for the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian cause.”

Egypt

On his part, Egypt’s permanent representative to the UN Amr Aboulatta expressed “extreme concern” about the possible consequences for regional stability of the US decision, according to al-Ahram Online.

The American decision will have a very negative consequences on the peace process, which was based upon considering al-Quds as a final settlement case that will be stated through negotiations, Ambassador Amr Aboulatta said.

“What we witness today reflects the severe fear by the international community towards one of the cases that is on the list of the Security Council since its establishment, which is the Palestinian case,” Aboulatta said.

 H.M