UAE condemns US decision to recognise Jerusalem as capital of Israel

ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates has expressed its deep regret and condemnation of the US administration’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said such unilateral decisions are contrary to the internationally-legitimate resolutions and will not change the legal status of the city of Jerusalem as being under occupation.

Deep concern

The ministry expressed its deep concern about the repercussions of this decision on the stability of the region, noting that it inflamed the feelings of Arab and Islamic peoples, who have great respect for Jerusalem.

UN resolutions

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation stressed the need to abide by all UN resolutions related to the city of Jerusalem, including Security Council resolutions and the principles of international law, which stipulate that diplomatic missions should not be established or transferred there, opposing any recognition of it as the capital of the occupying state and considering East Jerusalem as an integral part of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967.

Fundamental change

The step will represent a fundamental change and an unjustified bias in the neutral position of the United States at a time when everyone looks forward to seeing the United States of America working to achieve the desired ends in the peace process, the statement said.