OIC declares East Jerusalem capital of Palestine

ISTANBUL, Turkey -  The biggest grouping of Muslim nations put aside differences and recognised East Jerusalem as the capital of occupied Palestine, the most concrete response yet to the American move of recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital. 

The surprise announcement came despite Saudi Arabia and its allies sending low-level officials to the extraordinary summit of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul on Wednesday, suggesting an unwillingness to adopt a strong position.

(We) declare East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine and invite all countries to recognise the State of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its occupied capital, the draft final communique said.

It stated OIC rejected and condemned "in the strongest terms the unilateral decision by the President of the United States America recognising Al-Quds [Jerusalem] as the so-called capital of Israel, the occupying power." 

It said the move was considered "null and void legally" and "an attack on the historical, legal, natural and national rights of the Palestinian people, a deliberate undermining of all peace efforts, an impetus to extremism and terrorism, and a threat to international peace and security".

The communique did express the OIC's continued commitment to the search for a peace based on a two-state solution. However, speakers at the conference had said the United States had lost its ability to mediate following its decision.   

The United States was also warned that it would be responsible for the consequences of its decision, without expanding on what those consequences would be.

The draft communique also called Israeli actions and policies "colonial" and "racist".

The OIC also expressed its unequivocal support for the just struggle of the Palestinians and condemned Israeli attacks on peaceful protests.   

The strongly worded document also called on the UN security council to step in and act against US President Donald Trump's decision.

The emergency summit of the world's main pan-Islamic body was called by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, seeking to marshal Muslim leaders towards a coordinated response to the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

According to an Al Jazeera report, Erdogan who was seeking to "unite the Muslim world" and "come up with a concerted response" to the US' move faces a daunting task. "In the hall that he was addressing, there were countries who are not willing to go beyond rhetoric opposition at the expense of sacrificing their relationship with the United States," the report said.

SAUDI SNUB

Several key players, like Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, demonstrated their unwillingness to stand up to the American decision by not attending the summit meet at the highest level. None of their leaders turned up for the 'extraordinary' summit meet and instead sent junior officials.

Saudi Arabia, which has been cozying up to Israel for years now, sent an official dealing with the OIC.

In his speech Erdogan said, "We have gathered here today to evaluate the abuse of Jerusalem, Islam's first kiblah. Any person who wonders the streets of this holy city will understand that it is under occupation. Global and regional peace cannot be achieved until the Palestine matter is justly resolved."

Erdogan described Israel as a state defined by "occupation" and "terror".

"With this decision, Israel was rewarded for all the terrorist activities it has carried out. It is Trump who bestowed this award even," he said.

SLAP OF OUR TIMES

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in his speech said Trump's decision was a "crime" which came at a time when the Palestinians were engaged with Washington in a new push to reach what he said was anticipated to be the "deal of our times."

"Instead we got the slap of our times," Abbas said. 

Abbas slammed the recognition by Trump of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as a "gift" to the "Zionist movement" as if he "were giving away an American city," adding that Washington no longer had any role to play in the Middle East peace process.

"We do not accept any role of the United States in the political process from now on. Because it is completely biased towards Israel," he said.

President of Iran Hassan Rouhani, Jordanian King Abdullah II and Lebanese President Michel Aoun were among the heads of state attending, as well as the emirs of Qatar and Kuwait.

CALL FOR UNITY

In his address President Rouhani described the Zionists as "strangers" who have planted seeds of regional violence in the Middle East.

The Iranian chief executive slammed certain regional states for seeking to establish relations with the Zionist regime, warning, "Today it is no secret that the biggest enemy of the Jews [is] not the Muslims and Arabs but the dangerous project of Zionism."

"Instead of countering the threats of the Zionists, some countries in our region are aligned with the US and Zionists to prescribe the fate of Palestine--If such prescriptions are taken, the Zionists would permanently dominate the Palestinians," Rouhani said.

The Iranian president further called on the Muslim world to unite against the Zionist regime.

Friend or Foe?

Erdogan-- who regards himself a champion of the Palestinian cause -- however remained silent on Turkey's growing diplomatic ties with Israel.

Turkey signed a deal worth 18.6 million euros with Israel for joint automotive manufacturing venture Hurriyet Daily News reported on Monday. 

Turkey, it bears mention, recognises Israel and maintains full diplomatic relations with the Zionist entity like Egypt and Jordon.

Christian Guest at Muslim Summit 

While Arab kings stayed away from OIC summit Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro came all the way from Latin America to join Muslim leaders in Istanbul in a show of solidarity.

Maduro attended the summit as a special observer. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza and Minister of Communication Jorge Rodriguez were also present at the extraordinary summit.

On Monday Maduro stated that Trump's declaration was "illegal, absolutely illegal." He went on to say that it was a provocation and a declaration of war against the Arabs, Muslims and the good people of the world.

He stated that his role in the summit was to evaluate "anything to do with the solidarity with the people of Palestine" who face "the aggression of the imperialist [U.S.] government."

And Israel Invites Saudi Crown Prince

Israel's Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz invited Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to Israel, according to the Israel-based Haaretz newspaper.

Katz also urged Saudi Arabia's King Salman to extend an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit the country.

The transportation and intelligence minister referred to Saudi Arabia as the leader of the Arab world and said that Prince Salman's stance against Iran had cast him as an important partner for the U.S. and Israel.

An Israeli cabinet minister on Nov. 19 revealed that Israel has had covert contacts with Saudi Arabia amid common concerns over Iran, a first disclosure by a senior official from either country. Saudi Arabia does not have official diplomatic relations with Israel.