US to move its embassy to Jerusalem in May

WASHINGTON – Anadolu Agency

Turkey said on Feb. 24 a decision by the United States to open an embassy in Jerusalem in May shows a disregard for the decision by the United Nations and Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and that the U.S. insists on “damaging peace.”

In a statement, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said the decision was “very worrying.”

“Unfortunately, the U.S. exhibits that it does not hear, and worse still, does not care about the voice of international community’s conscience, as reflected in the Final Communique of OIC Extraordinary Summit in İstanbul and subsequently on the resolution of UN General Assembly,” the statement read.

“In response to this highly worrisome decision of the United States, Turkey will sustain its efforts, together with the vast majority of international community, to safeguard the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people,” the foreign ministry added. The U.S. State Department said on Feb. 23 that it would open an embassy in Jerusalem in May to coincide with Israel’s 70th anniversary.

In December 2017, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted an OIC summit of more than 50 countries in Istanbul where Muslim leaders condemned the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.