Turkey is starting initiatives at the United Nations to annul a decision by the United States to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Friday.
Speaking to crowds gathered in the central Anatolian city of Konya via teleconference, Erdoğan said that Turkey would first seek annulment of the move in the Security Council, and if that failed it would try at the UN General Assembly.
Erdoğan also praised initiatives to increase international recognition of the state of Palestine. “Muslim countries are starting new funds to protect Palestinian families, preventing Israel’s seizure of neighborhoods, houses, and workplaces belonging to Muslims," he said.
“No country is above international law. Muslims will not bow down to this double standard and injustice. Turkey is determined to fulfil its duty regarding this issue. We will use all mechanisms possible to hold those who are disregarding the law to account,” he added.
“We have started efforts to ensure that the state of Palestine is recognized by more countries. There are 137 countries which currently recognize Palestine. We hope to increase this number,” he added.
Despite widespread international opposition, U.S. President Donald Trump last week announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and said preparations would begin to move the U.S. embassy there.
Trump’s decision has sparked global outrage and protests, and on Monday the EU strongly rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s calls to recognize the holy city as the capital of Israel.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan invited leaders of over 50 Muslim nations to Wednesday's OIC meeting in Istanbul to formulate a joint response to Trump's decision.
The OIC communique declared East Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital and said that the U.S.’s Jerusalem decision was an announcement of its withdrawal from its role as a sponsor of peace.