US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israeli capital 'would be fatal mistake'

Turkey’s Presidential Spokesman İbrahim Kalın said the possibility that U.S. President Donald Trump may recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was very concerning.

“We are extremely concerned about reports that the U.S. is preparing to declare Jerusalem as capital of Israel. This would be a fatal mistake and go against international agreements, UN resolutions and historical facts,” Kalın said in a tweet posted on Tuesday.

“Such a move would undermine all peace efforts and trigger new tensions and conflicts. We hope the US administration will avoid this mistake. Maintaining the status quo of Jerusalem and Haram al-Sharif is of utmost importance for everyone,” he added.

U.S. officials have said that the move has not yet been finalized. The decision would violate decades of U.S. policy not to take a stance on the fate of Jerusalem on the grounds that this was an issue Israelis and Palestinians should negotiate and decide.

Jerusalem is sacred to both Muslims and Jews, as it includes sites known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (The Noble Sanctuary), al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the rock, as well as an ancient Jewish temple.