By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA

A senior member of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said Monday that his party rejected the U.S. recognition Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Speaking at the opening of the 2018 budget debate, group acting chairman Erkan Akcay said: “We reject and condemn this decision.

“Jerusalem is a territory of Palestine, which was occupied by Israel. Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine.

“The Zionists and crusaders who pounded the doors of Jerusalem are still at work.

“The response to this crusader mentality should be given at a legal and legitimate platform.”

Akcay said any change to the status of Jerusalem would ignite further conflict in the Middle East.

Despite widespread regional and international opposition, U.S. President Donald Trump last Wednesday announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

According to Trump, the U.S. State Department has begun preparations to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The shift in U.S. policy sparked demonstrations across the Muslim world.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- now occupied by Israel -- might serve as the capital of a Palestinian state.

Fellow MHP group acting chairman Erhan Usta indicated the party’s backing for the government over the issue.

“We, as the MHP group, are ready to support the government in their reform and policy suggestions,” he said.

The MHP has backed the government since last year’s defeated coup.