Arabs seek recognition of Jerusalem as Palestinian capital, full Palestinian UN membership

The Arab League has decided to take further measures to counter the US’ recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. 

By: World Israel News Staff and agencies

Arab states will push for international recognition of east Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital and will support the Palestinians’ bid for full membership at the United Nations (UN), after President Donald Trump last month recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi announced the moves after hosting five Arab foreign ministers and the Arab League secretary general on Saturday in Amman to decide on a joint Arab response to Trump.

“We will confront the decision by seeking a [UN] resolution, an international one, to recognize a Palestinian state on 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital,” Safadi said.

Safadi said that the Arab world would pursue a “global political decision to recognize the Palestinian state … with east Jerusalem as its capital.”

Foreign ministers from the Palestinian Authority (PA), Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco as well as Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit took part in the meeting.

In 2012, the UN General Assembly recognized the “state of Palestine” as an observer state, but most Western countries stopped short of bilateral recognition.

PA head Mahmoud Abbas threatened last month that the Palestinians would seek full membership in the UN and ultimately apply to join all 522 official international organizations.

Such a move would essentially negate the 1993 Oslo Peace Accords.