Any move by the United States to recognize occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s capital would fuel extremism and violence, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said on Saturday.

He spoke a day after a senior US administration official said US President Donald Trump was likely to make the announcement next week.

 

The Palestinians want Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, and the international community does not recognize Israel’s claim on all of the city, home to sites holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians.

Word of Trump’s planned announcement, which would deviate from previous US presidents who have insisted occupied Jerusalem’s status must be decided in negotiations, has already drawn criticism from the Palestinian Authority.

Clear message

“Today we say very clearly that taking such action is not justified ... It will not serve peace or stability, but will fuel extremism and resort to violence,” Aboul Gheit said in a statement published on the Arab league’s website.

“It only benefits one side; the Israeli government that is hostile to peace,” he added.

source: GULF NEWS