CAIRO, December 7, 2017 (WAFA) – The Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit Thursday said the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the relocation of the U.S. embassy is the reason for inflaming tensions and fueling anger in Palestine and the Arab and Islamic world.

Aboul Gheit‘s spokesperson, Mahmoud Afifi, said in a statement the Israeli occupation is trying to seize the opportunity to ignite the situation in occupied East Jerusalem by using excessive violence against protesters, warning that violence and escalation by Israel would only contribute to more tension.

He said the Arab League is closely following the developments on the ground and is conducting meetings at the highest levels in order to reach a unified Arab position that is an equal response to the unjust US decision.

Arab foreign ministers are expected to convene next Saturday to discuss steps and actions that will be taken to confront Trump‘s decision and its grave consequences, Afifi added.

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced his country’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel‘s capital and ordered the relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a step that has generated widespread regional and international condemnation.

The international community does not recognize Israel‘s hold on East Jerusalem, which it occupied in June 1967.

A.D/M.H