13.12.2017

Azerbaijan's president urges US to reconsider its stance on Israel's capital

During his speech at a special summit held by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Azerbaijani President Illham Aliyev condemned the US’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

“Despite the principles of international law and a UN Security Council resolution, the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by the US President and his decision to move the embassy there is of serious concern to us. This decision could negatively affect the fair and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and have dangerous consequences in the Middle East. We believe that the US should reconsider its decision,” the Azerbaijani President said.

The special summit held by the OIC took place on 13 December in Istanbul per request of the current Chairman of the OIC of the Turkish Republic.

Heads of state and governments from about 50 countries took part in the summit which bore the slogan “Joint Movement for Solidarity with Jerusalem”.

In his speech, Ilham Alieyev added that an international conference on Israel was held in Azerbaijan. A declaration was adopted at the conference condemning the occupation of East Jerusalem and restrictions on believers visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

“Today, as always, we are with the Palestinian people. Azerbaijan makes a great contribution to the cause of Islamic solidarity,” President Aliyev said.

He also cited that 2017 was declared the year of Islamic solidarity in Azerbaijan.