Islamic organ slams U.S. moves to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital

CAIRO, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Al-Azhar, the highest Islamic learning institution for Egypt and the Sunni Muslim world, slammed Monday Washington's attempt to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, terming it a "failed step" that would cause several troubles.

Al-Azhar Undersecretary Abbas Shoman stressed during a seminar in Cairo that Jerusalem will always be an Arab and Palestinian city as the holy city constitutes an Islamic heritage and religious dimension, Egypt's official MENA news agency reported.

Late on Sunday, Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has discussed in a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson recent media reports that the U.S. would possibly recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Ahmed Abu Zeid said Shoukry and Tillerson have addressed potential negative impacts of taking such a decision on the U.S. efforts to resume the Palestinian-Israeli peace process.

Shoukry has stressed that the religious and historical status of Jerusalem requires further keenness and careful consideration in dealing with such a thorny issue concerning the national identity of the Palestinian people throughout the ages.

"Egypt looks forward to handling the matter wisely and avoiding making decisions that could stir up tensions in the region," Abu Zeid quoted Shoukry as saying.

Cairo will remain a reliable partner that could effectively contribute to building trust and encourage Palestinian and Israeli sides to revive negotiations, with the aim of achieving a just and comprehensive peace, Shoukry said.

U.S. media reported this week that the U.S. President Donald Trump was considering recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and that he might announce the decision on Wednesday.

Trump pledged earlier to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. He made the relocation promise during his election campaign, but has signed in June a six-month waiver to a 1995 U.S. law requiring the embassy be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Previous U.S. presidents have signed similar waivers to avoid escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) warned that the U.S. recognition and the relocation of embassy are "dangerous to the future of the peace process and push the region into a square of instability." Enditem