The first step of a long path has been firmly taken, says Palestinian researcher Muin Naim referring to the OIC’s decision to recognize East Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital
The Muslim world welcomed the declaration of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) that recognized Eastern Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine at a summit held in Istanbul upon Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s invitation. A number of researchers and Middle East experts evaluated the current situation in Palestine and the decision taken under the leadership of Turkey.
Jerusalem’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Muhammad Hussein started by conveying his thanks to the Turkish nation, state and government for their support to the Palestinian issue. He said that U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital is being considered as the second Balfour Declaration.
The Balfour Declaration is a letter sent by British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Lord Rothschild, one of the leaders of the international movement Zionism, during World War I, on Nov. 2, 1917. It stated that the British government would support them in the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestinian territory.
“Trump attempts to give the lands which he does not own to a nation who does not deserve it. Jerusalemites should be supported in terms of politics, morality and economy,” he added.
Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Erol Kılıç from Marmara University Faculty of Theology said Saudi Arabia sending low-level representatives to the summit was equivalent to protesting the meeting, adding that the country could not resist it and had to attend somehow. Even though Saudis signed the decisions, they will try to convince Trump that they “had to sign” the agreements and that it was not a “serious” signature, according to Kılıç. “The summit inflicted a heavy blow to the psychology of the U.S. and Israel,” he noted.
President of the Association of Researchers on the Middle East and Africa (ORDAF) Zekeriya Kurşun stated that the decision taken at the summit brought about heavy responsibilities and will test the countries’ unity. He said that the al Quds al Sharif Commission, which is a sub-commission under the OIC, should be more active on this issue.
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Büyükkara, the acting dean of Istanbul Şehir University’s Faculty of Islamic Studies, noted that the OIC used to take quite passive decisions. “The decisions taken for Jerusalem constitutes a good message. The Arab countries which act in accordance with the U.S. and Israel are perturbed by the decision.”
An Israeli cabinet minister on Nov. 19 revealed that Israel has had covert contacts with Saudi Arabia amid common concerns over Iran, a first disclosure by a senior official from either country. Saudi Arabia does not have official diplomatic relations with Israel.
Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies (ORSAM) expert Oytun Orhan pointed out that the decision will cause a major reaction in the region, collapsing the alliance system that the U.S. and Israel plans to establish.
“Tukey has undertaken a pioneering role in the issue of Jerusalem. A joint stance was displayed and the decision on Jerusalem has been formulated. The message was given to the U.S. and Israel that if they continue their current attitude on Jerusalem, the OIC members will impose heavy sanctions,” said Orhan.
Palestinian Researcher-Author Muin Naim said that Muslim countries united in a short period of time under difficult conditions.
“This beginning should not be the end. Applicable decisions should be adopted. The first step of a long path has been firmly taken,” he stated.
Naim warned that the sanctions should follow if Israel and the U.S. does not give any positive reaction to the decision taken by the OIC, as the Muslim countries have the economic and political power to implement sanctions.
The decision taken by the OIC members in Istanbul “might be a milestone,” Middle East political history expert Prof. Dr. Cengiz Tomar said, adding that the Muslim world might unite and begin to rise again.
“The OIC, maybe for the first time, could take such a strong decision against the United States and Israel. This was a decision that the observers did not expect in theory, no matter what its benefits might be in practice. Because Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt were not expected to approve this. The Muslim world was able to show such a reaction for the first time.”
Despite widespread international opposition, 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.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan then invited leaders of over 50 Muslim nations to Wednesday's meeting in Istanbul to formulate a joint response to Trump's decision.
The OIC communique, apart from declaring East Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital, said that the U.S.’s Jerusalem decision was an announcement of its withdrawal from its role as a sponsor of peace.
