Islamic Leaders Call to Counter States That Relocated Embassies to Jerusalem

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Saturday called on its member states to take action against the countries that chose to relocate their embassies or trade missions to Jerusalem.

“[The OIC conference] calls on states that have relocated their embassies or opened trade missions in the Holy City, to relinquish this move … [and] called on its member states to take necessary measures to counter the states who chose to do this [relocate embassies to Jerusalem]”, the final statement of a forum in Mecca read, as quoted by Al-Arabiya.

 In December 2017, the United States recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and in May 2018 relocated its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv, prompting the outrage of the Muslim world. Australia, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Guatemala, and Honduras have also recognised Jerusalem as the Israeli capital. The United Nations, meanwhile, has urged its member states to refrain from moving diplomatic missions to the city until its legal status is settled.