UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Recognition of unified Jerusalem ‘reckless’ and undermines Palestinians’ human rights

10 Dec 2017

[International Secretariat]

Region: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Topic:

“This is a reckless and provocative decision by the Trump administration that further undermines the human rights of the Palestinian people and is likely to inflame tensions across the region.

“By recognizing unified Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announcing the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv, President Trump has shown yet again his blatant disregard for international law.

“There is international consensus, including UN Security Council resolutions, on the illegality of Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem. With this move, the United States is violating its own international legal obligations not to recognize or assist an illegal situation and to ensure respect for the Geneva Conventions.

The areas of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem that came under Israeli control in 1967 and were included in Israel’s municipal areas for Jerusalem, are universally acknowledged to be occupied territory, where international humanitarian law is applicable.

Israel’s illegal annexation of occupied East Jerusalem was formalized in domestic law in 1980. It has been repeatedly condemned by the international community through various UN Security Council resolutions.

“No country in the world recognizes Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem, making the decision to confer US recognition deeply troubling. Not only does this decision contribute to undermining the international rule of law, it also shows a total disregard for mass human rights violations that Palestinians are facing as a result of Israel’s annexation policies.”

6 December 2017
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