US Jerusalem move to escalate bloodshed: Turkish deputy

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - A leading Turkish lawmaker on Friday said that the U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israeli capital would escalate the bloodshed and tears in region.

In a statement, Fatma Benli, the deputy chair of the parliament's Human Rights Committee, described the Trump's decision as "unlawful". "You may occupy Jerusalem physically, but you can never touch what our hearts feel for Jerusalem."

"The relentless bloodshed and tears in the region will escalate after the U.S. announcement, which is against international law," she said.

“Peace in the Middle East is possible only when the blockade on Palestine is lifted and Israel withdraws to its own borders."

Benli added that the U.S. decision was "null and void" not only for Turkey but also for the world.

Despite widespread international opposition, Trump on Wednesday announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and said preparations would begin to move the U.S. Embassy there.

The declaration sparked demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories as well as Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, and other majority-Muslim countries.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- now occupied by Israel -- might eventually serve as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

During his presidential campaign last year, Trump repeatedly promised to relocate the embassy and acknowledge Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.