The Global Muslim Brotherhood (GMB) has widely reacted to the decision by US President Donald Trump to move the US Embassy Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. As aways, the GMB is doing its best to capitalize on the issue and fan the flames of discontent and anger in the global Muslim community. For example, the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE), an umbrella group for them in Europe, issued a press release calling the US action “a suspicious attempt to destroy the Arab and Islamic identity of the occupied city, and impose a fait accompli” and calling Islamic centers and mosques throughout Europe to dedicate the Friday sermon to the issue:
December 7, 2017 Brussels Press Release: CONCERNING THE AMERICAN DECISION ON JERUSALEM AND ITS SERIOUS RAMIFICATIONS
The Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE) strongly condemns the irresponsible decision taken by the American president to eventually move the US embassy to Jerusalem, in a suspicious attempt to destroy the Arab and Islamic identity of the occupied city, and impose a fait accompli.
The decision is an outright violation of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, confirmed by international resolutions, and a flagrant breach of the principles of international and humanitarian law as well as the relevant UN covenants.
By so shocking the conscience of humankind, this reckless move has created an exceptional state of repression at all levels. In defiance of the sentiments of the Ummah, such decision disregards the eminence on which Jerusalem is situated as a symbol for both Muslims and Christians, which is a serious act of provocation that may bring further instability to this already volatile region.
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Hamas operative Amin Abou Rashed posted a statement on his Facebook page from the Palestinians in Europe Conference (PEC), a group tied to Hamas, which called the US action “a provocation against the Palestinian people and a step to help, boost and further Israeli occupation”:
December 5, 2017 Brussels Palestinians in Europe Conference: Moving US Embassy to Jerusalem, Capital recognition is shocking and violation of Laws and Rights
Palestinians in Europe Conference (PEC) expresses its shock and dismay over the news of potential American action to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The step is irresponsible and against international law and the basic Palestinian rights, given that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Palestinian people. It can never be the capital for the occupying power Israel.
PEC which represents thousands of Palestinians and European-Palestinian nationals refuse the American step and the way it treats such matter with reckless politics. The conference call on the European Union and European Governments to take serious measures to resist the American step which will put the region into another round of vicious conflict and bloodshed.
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Abou Rashed is also posting Arabic statements on the issue from the group known as Europeans for Al Quds (Europeans for Jerusalem) first identified by the GMBDW as tied to Hamas and the Global Muslim Brotherhood and which took responsibility for the wave of protests in Europe centered on recent Israeli actions at the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh described the decision as “flagrant aggression” and warned of dire consequence. According to an Al Jazeera report:.
December 6, 2017 Speaking to Al Jazeera from Gaza, Hamas leader Ismail Haniya described Trump’s decision as a “flagrant aggression”.
“This decision is an uncalculated gamble that will know no limit to the Palestinian, Arab and Muslim reaction,” he said.
“We call for stopping this decision fully because this will usher in the beginning of a time of terrible transformations, not just on the Palestinian level but on the region as a whole. This decision means the official announcement of the end of the peace process.”
Israeli media is further reporting that Hamas has called for a Palestinian “Day of Rage” on Friday.
The Muslim Association of Britain (MAB), a long-standing group representing the Muslim Brotherhood in the UK, issued a press release predicting the Embassy relocation will be “decisive” in promoting further conflict:
December 6, 2017 American President Donald Trump today announced his intention to move the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and recognise the city as its capital.
This proposed move shows a flagrant disregard for international law, Palestinian rights and international opinion, serving only to inflame tensions and unrest across the Middle East.
The Muslim Association of Britain calls upon the UK Government to condemn President Trump’s decision and to reaffirm its position in not recognising any changes to the internationally agreed upon resolutions. Omer El-Hamdoon, President of MAB said:
“Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and the moving of the Israeli embassy shows the President’s utter disregard for international law. This move will only add to further unrest in the region, and will be decisive in ensuring further conflict.”