Organization of Islamic Cooperation issues declaration recognizing East Jerusalem as capital of Palestine
The European media widely covered the Istanbul declaration that was issued on Wednesday following an extraordinary summit of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the wake of U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
The "Istanbul Declaration" dubbed "Freedom for Jerusalem" was issued Wednesday evening after an extraordinary summit held in Istanbul.
"We confirm that we recognize the state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, and call the world to recognize East Jerusalem as the occupied capital of Palestine," the declaration read.
Germany’s influential weekly Der Spiegel ran the headline: "Islamic summit recognizes East Jerusalem as Palestine's capital".
The Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, also in Germany, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had called for a summit following U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital last week.
Germnay's daily Tageszeitung wrote: "Erdogan's red line", saying the Turkish president had described Israel as "occupying" state.
French newspaper Le Monde wrote: "Muslim leaders call for recognizing East Jerusalem as Palestine's capital."
French daily Le Figaro said Muslim leaders were united in their perception that Trump's decision supports extremism and terrorism.
French broadcaster France 24 reported Erdogan's remarks: "Israel is rewarded by Trump for its terrorist actions".
The U.K.'s Guardian newspaper shared remarks made by Erdogan and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas.
It mentioned Abbas's remarks: "Palestinians no longer accept U.S. as mediator, Abbas tells summit".
Another British daily, The Independent ran the headline: "Turkey's President Erdogan tells Jerusalem summit Israel is an 'occupying' and 'terror' state".
It said Turkey had hosted the 57-member OIC on Wednesday in the wake of the U.S. decision.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) said the leaders of 57 Muslim nations called on the world to recognize "the State of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its occupied capital".
The BBC said the OIC communique declared Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital as "null and void".
The Italian news agency ANSA ran the headline: "Erdogan: We recognize Jerusalem as capital of Palestine".
Italian newspapers La Repubblica ran the headline: "Turkey at the center of game".
Belgian newspaper De Morgen said: "Muslim countries respond to Trump's decision", adding that countries attending the summit did not recognize the "illegal and unilateral" U.S. decision on Jerusalem.
Dutch TV channel NOS also reported on Abbas's comment, writing: "Abbas: Jerusalem decision a crime".
Swiss magazine Blick reported on the extraordinary summit by using Anadolu Agency as source.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the biggest selling daily Dnevni Avaz ran the headline "Muslim countries declare East Jerusalem as capital of Palestine" while the Oslobodjenje daily opted to use report on Erdogan describing Israel as a "terrorist state".
Meanwhile, the Serbian tabloid Blic ran the headline: “Turkey calls on world to recognize East Jerusalem as capital of Palestine”.
Croatian newspaper Jutarnji List opted for: "A rare compromise from the leaders of Muslim countries”.
