OIC denounces Brazil’s decision to move embassy to occupied Jerusalem al-Quds

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned as “illegal” a decision by Brazil’s far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to move his country’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Israeli-occupied Jerusalem al-Quds.

“The declaration was a flagrant violation of international law and of all relevant UN resolutions,” the OIC said in a statement released on Saturday.

The Jeddah-based international organization called on Brazil to respect its legal and political obligations under international law and resolutions, and to embrace positions that support chances of making peace under the so-called two-state solution.

On Friday, the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, called upon Bolsonaro to reverse his decision, terming it “an affront to the Palestinian people as well as Arab and Muslim nations.”

Hamas urges Brazil to drop Jerusalem embassy bid

Hamas calls on Brazilian President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to revoke his decision to relocate his country’s embassy to occupied Jerusalem al-Quds.

A senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) also strongly condemned the Brazilian president-elect’s announcement that he would move his country’s Israel embassy to Jerusalem al-Quds.

“These are provocative and illegal steps that will only destabilize security and stability in the region,” Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the PLO’s executive committee, told AFP.

She added, “It is very unfortunate that Brazil has joined this negative alliance against international law.”

Australia considers following US policy shift on al-Quds

Australia says it is considering following in the US footsteps by recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli ‘capital’ and moving Canberra’s embassy to the occupied city.

Bolsonaro on Thursday announced his intention to relocate the Brazilian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds once he formally assumed the presidency. The move will make the giant Latin American country the third state to relocate its embassy in Israel after the United States and Guatemala.

“As previously stated during our campaign, we intend to transfer the Brazilian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem” al-Quds, Bolsonaro tweeted in defiance of the Palestinians and most of the world.

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, quickly welcomed the plan and issued a statement, praising the decision.

“I congratulate my friend Brazilian President-Elect, Jair Bolsonaro, for his intention to move the Brazilian embassy to Jerusalem, a historic, correct and exciting step,” Netanyahu commented.

Bolsonaro, 63, who won a runoff election on Sunday, has outraged many with his overtly racist rhetoric.

Israel occupied Jerusalem al-Quds in 1967 in a move never recognized by the international community. The Palestinians want the city as the capital of their future state.

Tensions have been running high in the occupied Palestinian territories and the Gaza Strip since last December, when US President Donald Trump decided to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s “capital” and relocate Washington’s embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied city.

US opens new Israel embassy amid Gaza massacre

The US officially opens its diplomatic mission in Jerusalem al-Quds amid a deadly Israeli crackdown on Palestinian protests.

On December 21 last year, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution that calls on the US to withdraw its controversial policy shift.

Despite the vote, the US went ahead with the embassy transfer on May 14, triggering demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Morocco and other Muslim countries.

Israel’s crackdown in Gaza left over 60 protesters dead in the impoverished coastal enclave on that day alone.