Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has condemned, in the strongest terms, Kosovo’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and its decision to open an embassy in the city under occupation.
Aboul Gheit emphasised that the decision is both illegitimate, and represents a violation of international law that considers Jerusalem an occupied territory. He noted that international law prohibits the transfer of embassies to the city, on this basis.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Secretary-General stressed that the Kosovan decision violates the international consensus regarding the opening of embassies in occupied Jerusalem. Only two countries have so far violated this consensus, namely the US and Guatemala.
At the same time, Aboul Gheit stressed that the UN Security Council resolutions are clear in this regard, especially Resolution 478 of 1980. This condemns Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem, and prohibits states from establishing diplomatic missions in the city.
He said that the opening of any country’s embassy in Jerusalem does not change the fact that the city is under occupation, and its fate can only be decided by negotiation.
This takes into account the fact that Jerusalem is one of the most important issues in the negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis.
Aboul Gheit also noted that the move to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital contradicts the logic of a peaceful settlement and a two-state solution.
