Kuwait regrets US Jerusalem move – Speaker deplores embassy shift

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Kuwaiti National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 7: The State of Kuwait followed with profound regret the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as capital of Israel and move its embassy to the holy city, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Such a unilateral move contravenes the UN resolutions on maintaining the political, historical, legal and humanitarian status quo in Jerusalem, an official of the ministry said in a statement.

The US decision runs counter to the international laws and conventions, and puts in peril the future of the Middle East peace process, the official cautioned. He expressed concern over the adverse repercussions of the US move on security, peace and stability in the region, which is already fraught with peril.

He voiced hope that the US administration would reconsider its move and focus on the peace efforts based on the international legitimacy, the two-state vision for peace and the Arab peace initiative. Kuwaiti National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim on Thursday condemned the US Administration’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Speaking to reporters at Parliament, the speaker said: “The decision to shift the US embassy to Jerusalem reflects a disrespect of the sentiments of Muslims and all honourable people on the Earth.” He reminded that the decision has been put on the table since the 1980s, but it was not announced due to expected reactions.

“Regrettably, they apparently saw that the current situation is suitable for this decision,” Kuwait’s top lawmaker said. He added that President of Arab Parliament Mishaal Al- Salmi had informed him of a call for an emergency meeting on Wednesday’s US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Al-Ghanim pointed to a parliamentary request to hold a special session on the reflections of the US move on Wednesday. Al-Ghanim has called on MPs to two special sessions — one on Sunday to discuss national unity and the current situation in the region, and another on Tuesday to tackle the Jerusalem issue. He said he also invited the government but he does not know if they will attend or not. Meanwhile, 21 lawmakers issued a statement on America’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel

Regret
They pointed out everyone followed, with regret, the decision of the United States of America announced by President Donald Trump on recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the relocation of its embassy. They consider this decision an injustice and denial of the rights of Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims in the city of Jerusalem; asserting this contradicts international laws and United Nations resolutions and threatens the peace process and stability in the region.

They stressed that the declaration of Jerusalem as capital of the Zionist entity is a challenge and provocation of the feelings of Arab and Islamic nations. Therefore, the lawmakers requested for a special session on Dec 13, 2017 in accordance with Article 72 of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure to express the position of Kuwait and emphasize that Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine. Meanwhile, a security message for US citizens was issued by the US Embassy in Kuwait stating that the recent announcement that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and plans to relocate the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem may spark protests, some of which have the potential to become violent.

By Abubakar A. Ibrahim Arab Times Staff and Agencies

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