THE US’ move to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is bound to inflame sentiments and complicate the fight against terror, Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry said, urging President Donald Trump’s administration to reconsider its decision.

Wisma Putra said Trump’s decision, which he announced yesterday, would put an end to all efforts made to achieve peace in the Middle East, which centred on the Palestinian question.

“Malaysia is extremely concerned about reports that the US has announced its decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital,” said the ministry in a statement today.

“It will have grave repercussions not only for the security and stability of the region, but will also inflame sentiments, making efforts to combat terrorism all the more difficult.”

It said all United Nations member states must not recognise any changes to Israel’s pre-1967 borders, including Jerusalem.

Wisma Putra also opposes any attempt to establish or transfer diplomatic missions to Jerusalem, calling such acts “aggression not only against the Arabic and Islamic ummah, but they are also an infringement of the rights of Muslims and Christians alike”.

Trump yesterday announced the US’ recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, calling it “the beginning of a new approach to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians”.

He also ordered the US State Department to start making preparations to relocate the US embassy from Tel Aviv.

Wisma Putra said the decision would violate the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, in addition to breaching international law and UN Security Council resolutions on the status of Jerusalem, which is wanted by both Palestine and Israel as their capital.

“To recognise Jerusalem as (the Israeli) capital is not a recognition of the reality on the ground. It is an expression of support for Israeli policies, many of which are in contravention of international law. Might cannot be right,” said the ministry. – December 7, 2017.