OIC denounces Brazil's decision to move embassy to al-Quds

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned as “illegal” a decision by Brazil's President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to move his country's embassy from Tel Aviv to al-Quds.

“The declaration was a flagrant violation of international law and of all relevant UN resolutions,” the OIC said in a statement released on Saturday.

The Jeddah-based international organization called on Brazil to respect its legal and political obligations under international law and resolutions, and to embrace positions that support chances of making peace under the so-called two-state solution.

On Friday, the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, called upon Bolsonaro to reverse his decision, terming it “an affront to the Palestinian people as well as Arab and Muslim nations.”

A senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) also strongly condemned the Brazilian president-elect's announcement that he would move his country's embassy to al-Quds.

“These are provocative and illegal steps that will only destabilize security and stability in the region,” Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the PLO's executive committee, told AFP.

She added, “It is very unfortunate that Brazil has joined this negative alliance against international law.”

SS