Iraq slams U.S. embassy relocation to Jerusalem as “step of war”
Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari.
Baghdad (Iraqinews.com) – Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari has slammed the U.S. decision to move its embassy from Tel Aviv into Jerusalem, warning that this action provokes feelings of Arabs and Muslims everywhere and represents a step of war.
Addressing an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul, Jaafari said the U.S. embassy relocation decision represents a flagrant violation of human rights and international resolutions on that score.
The top Iraqi diplomat further called on the international community to stand up to acts of violence committed by Israeli occupation forces, which left scores of peaceful protesters in Palestine killed and hundreds others injured.
“The U.S. embassy move to Jerusalem represents a step of war and provokes feelings of Arabs and Muslims everywhere,” Jaafari noted, warning the U.S. administration not to take provocative or reckless steps that could threaten international peace and security.
On Tuesday, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting that rebuked Israel after its forces killed scores of Palestinian protesters on the Gaza border. The clashes came at the same day the U.S. opened its new embassy in Jerusalem.
According to Palestinian news agency WAFA, the total number of Palestinians killed on Monday reached 64 and the total since the start of the Great March Return protests on March 30 reached 119. More than 12,000 Palestinians were injured, according to Palestinian Ministry of Health figures, with many of them remaining in critical condition.