Lawmakers sign Jerusalem Oath in defense of sacred city

By Kaan Bozdogan and Ali Murat Alhas

ISTANBUL (AA) - We would rather die than forsake Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque, Nureddin Nebati, a ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's deputy and head of the Interparliamentary Jerusalem Platform, told Anadolu Agency on Saturday.

Nebati made the remarks on the sidelines of a symbolic "Jerusalem Oath" signing ceremony attended by national and international lawmakers. U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was also slammed during the meeting.

"The mafia-like alliance formed by those who see themselves as owners of the world ignores law, morality and conscience. Jerusalem has been a milestone in global politics. The dark forces of today extend their hand to Jerusalem, like countless times before, with a view to infiltrating Muslims' lives, controlling over 2 billion Muslims and shackling their dreams," he said.

-Trump's decision

Saying that Trump's move to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital was a deception that “slaughtered” the law, Nebati added:

"The U.S., which acts as a mediator, should write a book on insincerity and hypocrisy. Trump's decision was overwhelmingly rejected by the UN General Assembly. Yet the U.S. announced that it would move the embassy on May 14. The children of this gang system [Israeli authorities] didn't waste a minute and announced they would name the square near the embassy after Trump. With the decision he made as if he was a gang leader, Trump will not get away with violating the law."

"Jerusalem is the red line of Muslims, our unifying point. As a matter of fact, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation [OIC] was founded after 1969 incident," he said, referring to a Christian extremist trying to set fire to the mosque.

Nebati asserted that Palestinians living in Jerusalem have taken a stance against occupation, violence, and oppression, adding that Turkey will always stand by the "heroes who gave their lives" defending Aqsa.

"As long as we breathe, we will reject this occupation and oppose it. Jerusalem is our city, and its people are our blood brothers. We will not let anybody steal our Jerusalem, and we support all legitimate efforts to defend Jerusalem's rights. Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Palestine and shall always remain that way," he said, vowing to maintain the fight till the very end.

Nebati said the Jerusalem Oath campaign, launched by the platform, has been backed by thousands of lawmakers from almost 100 countries.

"Regardless of religion, language, or ethnicity, lawmakers from all over the world have sworn [the oath] for Palestine's capital Jerusalem. Non-Muslims and Christians also back us, because Palestine is a site where both Christians and Jews have places of significance," he added.

Following speeches, the Jerusalem Oath was signed by participating lawmakers, as follows:

"In order to regain the rights of the Palestinian people as supported by history, legislation, and international law, I stand by Palestinians and accept that Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine. Rejecting the Zionist occupation of Jerusalem and Palestine to secure human rights and freedom and establish justice, I vow to do my best to assure that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Palestine and acknowledge all the legitimate efforts and initiatives advocating the legitimate rights of Palestinians."