ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Political and religious parties across Pakistan on Wednesday censured the decision of Trump administration to declare Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and subsequent moving of the US embassy to the holy city.
Expressing concerns over Trump’s defiance, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Raja Zafarul Haq said US president’s decision has disappointed Muslim countries across the world. He called for a conference of Muslim nations to discuss Trump’s decision to move the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. “The hope for peace and justice has been quashed with Trump’s announcement,” he said.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman said this decision will send a costly signal to the entire Muslim world, saying it was contrary to the viable two-state solution. “Moving the capital to Jerusalem will fuel fires of extremism and exacerbate faultlines in an already volatile Middle East and strain the relationship of the US with its Muslim allies,” she said.
“This move minimised any possibility of the two-state solution becoming a reality, as Jerusalem lies at the heart of the two-state solution, which presently is the only viable solution to the conflict,” continued the senator. “The PPP has always stood for and by the Palestinian people. The government of Pakistan must, therefore, make its stance loud and clear on this alarming development. Pakistan should not wait to convey its due concern,” she added.
Meanwhile, the religious parties, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), Jamaatud Dawa (JuD), Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP) and others have also threatened to hold countrywide protests against the US administration, to show solidarity with the Palestinian people. Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq said the move could plunge the “entire world into flames of war”.
In a statement, the JI chief said Jerusalem was the most sacred place next to Mecca and Madina and they had deep love and respect for the ancient city. He said that any US step in this direction would have serious consequences. The JIP chief appreciated announcements by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas rejecting the US decision and said that none of the Muslim rulers could support Trump’s plan. He urged the world community and justice loving western and European states to condemn Trump’s decision, so as to give him a clear message that such a decision could not be supported.
Jamaatud Dawa chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed called the decision an attempt to appease the Jewish lobby, as well as a continuation of Trump’s anti-Islam policies. He said, “As it is known that Israel deems Jerusalem as its capital and America has recognised it by moving its embassy [to Jerusalem]. As a result, the whole Middle East will descend into chaos and turmoil and repercussions will be incalculable.” Muslim community would react to the decision which could the world’s peace, warned Saeed, adding international community must take steps for the sake of the global harmony.
