By Ben Kerrigan-
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has rejected the United States’ role in any future peace talks.
The announcement from the group made up of 57 members comes following Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the group’s secretary general announced.
Yousef al-Othaimeen, speaking on Wednesday at the opening of an OIC summit in Instabul, he said:
“The OIC rejects and condemns the American decision,” he said. “This is a violation of international law … and this is a provocation of the feelings of Muslims within the world … it will create a situation of instability in the region and in the world. The OIC proclaims to be the collective voice of Islam, and voluntarily speaks on behalf of Muslims all over the world.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas echoed the OIC announcement that Palestinians will no longer accept any American role in the Middle East peace process after US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Mr Trump’s announcement was a “crime” that threatens world peace, the Palestinian Authority leader said on Wednesday, as he called on the United Nations to overhaul plans for the peace process now that the US is “unfit” for leading peace efforts.
While Palestinians remain committed to peace, Washington can no longer be accepted as a “fair negotiator”, he said, having provoked Muslim and Christian sentiments over the future of the holy city.
He added that new measures need to be put in place to safeguard the identity of the divided city, which is claimed by both the Israelis and the Palestinians, and that in the light of the US’ move in Israel’s favour, the world must accept the legitimacy of a Palestinian state. Speaking before al-Othaimeen, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the US had “disqualified” itself from future Israel-Palestine peace talks after proving its “bias in favour of Israel”.
The U.S is yet to react to the announcement, and will be under pressure to set out a peace process that appears fair to both Israeli’s and Palestinians.