Trump Accused Of 'Naked Aggression' Against Arabs And Muslims Over Jerusalem Embassy Move

Live On: 12/5/17 At 6:58 AM HaveNo comments. President Donald Trump has been accused of “naked aggression” against Arabs and Muslims as tensions rise across the Middle East over revived plans for the U.S. to move its embassy to Jerusalem.
The Organization for Islamic Cooperation has called on its 57 members states to sever ties with the U.S. if it moves its embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing the holy city as the capital of Israel. It added the transferring of any diplomatic mission to Jerusalem by any country constituted an attack on Arabs and Muslims, as well as Christians and Palestinians.

A number of Arab and Muslim nations, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Turkey have strongly condemned the possible move. On the campaign trail last year Trump frequently promised the relocation of the embassy from Tel Aviv, but since he assumed office the issue has repeatedly been kicked down the road.
The White House said Monday that it was yet to make a decision on the move, despite the expiration of the deadline for the presidential waiver on the 1995 Jerusalem Act. Technically, by failing to sign the waiver, Trump has opened the door for Congress to push the move through. Reports began circulating Friday that the relocation could be announced as early as Wedneeday. The State Department has already warned American embassies worldwide to heighten security ahead of possible violent protests.

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at the Israel Museum to speak in Jerusalem on May 23, accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at the Israel Museum to speak in Jerusalem on May 23, accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
Both in the Middle East and across the world, ambiguity in Washington has stoked fears that the U.S.’s decades’ long policy towards Jerusalem could be about to end, jeopardizing any remaining hopes for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
Since 1948 and before the founding of Israel, the U.S has not recognized any state's sovereignty over east or west Jerusalem, a position that has remained unchanged under both Republican and Democratic presidents.
Both Israel and the Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital. Analysts have said U.S. recognition of Jerusalem would jeopardize a potential two-state settlement to the conflict.
The Mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barkat told Newsweek prior to the expiration of the waiver that he expected the Trump administration to keep its promises over the move even if ultimately it was a U.S. decision. “My statement to the administration is for them to keep their word,” Barkat said. “I think any Israelis, Americans, Europeans if you come up with a statement and you don't follow through … in our part of the region is not a solution,” he added.
The price of the embassy move has become increasingly tangible this week, as Turkey, after a period of rapprochement with Israel, said it will cut all diplomatic ties with the country if Washington recognizes Jerusalem, according to CNN Turk. Similarly, Saudi Arabia has denounced the move, despite a growing closeness with Israel over how combat the pair’s regional foe, Iran.
"Any American announcement on the status of Jerusalem before a final settlement is reached will harm the peace process and increase tension in the region," Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi ambassador to the United States, said in a statement.
"The Kingdom's policy has been and continues to be supportive of the Palestinian people, and this has been transferred to the US administration," he added, according to the Saudi-owned broadcaster al-Arabiya.