site.btaArab Ambassadors in Sofia Strongly Condemn US President's Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as Israel's Capital

Sofia, December 8 (BTA) - "The Ambassadors and Heads of the Arab Diplomatic Mission accredited to the Republic of Bulgaria and resident in Sofia express their strong condemnation for the decision of the President of the United States of America to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel (the occupying force) and they consider this recognition, or establishing any diplomatic missions in Jerusalem, or relocating it to the city a grave assault on the Arab and Muslim people and to the rights of the Palestinian people, and all Muslims and Christians, and a grave violation of International Law, the fourth Geneva Convention, the United Nations Security Council Resolutions, and United Nations General Assembly resolutions in this regard, as well as the legal opinion of the International Court of Justice issued on 9/7/2004," reads a statement issued by the diplomats, which BTA received from the Embassy of Palestine on Friday.

"This illegal recognition constitutes a serious threat to peace, security and stability in the region and in the world, as well as eliminates chances for peace, and a two state solution, while increasing extremism and violence."

"The United States recognition ends its role as a mediator accepted by all parties for achieving lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, based on the United Nations resolutions, International law regulations, and the Arab Peace Initiative for the year 2002 based on the two state solution and the principle of Land for Peace."

"The Ambassadors reaffirm the absolute right of the Palestinian state to its full sovereignty over all the occupied Palestinian territories since 1967 including east Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, and they call all states not to recognize any changes taken by Israel (the occupying force) regarding the borders of the 4th of June 1967."

"The Ambassadors took into account the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria on 7/12/2017, they call on the Government of Bulgaria to further keep its position of rejecting any changes to the legal and historic status of the city of Jerusalem."