ABU DHABI, 5th December, 2017 (WAM) -- Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Jarman, Assistant Minister for Human Rights and International Law at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, today expressed the UAE’s utmost and deep concern regarding media reports on the intention of the United States, US, Administration to recognise Jerusalem as a capital of Israel, and to transfer its embassy to the city.

He explained that taking this step is a major breach of the principle of not influencing the negotiations to find a solution to the Palestinian issue, and goes against international resolutions that asserted the Palestinian people’s historic and established rights to Jerusalem, which are permanently binding and cannot be changed by a fait accompli.

Al Jarman added that this step, if taken, will represent a fundamental change and unjustified bias in the neutral stance of the US, at the time when the world is looking forward to the US to help realise the aspirations of the peace process.

He also warned that this action will have grave consequences, and will further complicate the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and obstruct the current efforts to revive the peace process. It could also provoke the feelings of Muslims around the world, in light of Jerusalem’s pivotal stature and importance to Islam, he added.

Al Jarman highlighted the UAE’s firm stance on Jerusalem and its total and constant support for the Palestinian people to attain their legitimate rights and establish their Palestinian state and its capital in East Jerusalem.