May 14, 2018•Update: May 14, 2018
By Merve Aydogan
ANKARA
The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Monday "strongly" condemned the U.S. decision to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
"We strongly condemn the decision of the U.S. Administration to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem violating international law and all relevant UN Resolutions. We reiterate that this action is legally null and void," the Foreign Ministry said in a written statement.
Turkey once more emphasized that the U.S. move "disregards the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people" and "will not serve peace, security and stability in the region."
"The resolutions on Jerusalem adopted at the Extraordinary Islamic Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held on 13 December 2017 as well as at the United Nations General Assembly on 21 December 2017 demonstrate that this illegitimate step taken by the U.S. is rejected by the international community. By insisting on this attitude, the U.S. Administration has damaged the basis for a solution of the most basic issue in the Middle East. The U.S. Administration will be fully responsible for the repercussions of the said decision which runs the risk of eroding the parameters established during the peace process."
"We curse the massacre carried out by Israeli security forces encouraged by this step on the Palestinians participating in peaceful demonstrations. Neither regional nor global peace and stability will be viable unless the Palestinian question is settled through a lasting and just solution and unfair treatments towards Palestinian people cease."
The statement expressed Turkey's determination to "continue to work with the responsible members of the international community to revive the peace process on a sound basis and build a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace in the region."
The U.S. intends to officially relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on Monday to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Israel’s establishment in 1948 -- an event Palestinians refer to as the “Nakba” or the “The Catastrophe”.
Trump sparked international outcry last December when he unilaterally recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and vowed to relocate Washington's embassy to the city.
At least 37 Palestinians were martyred and hundreds were injured, according to the Health Ministry.
