Members of the OIC – Organization of Islamic Cooperation declared East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital in an emergency meeting in Istanbul. 

Turkey labeled it as a historic day.

The move came in response to the decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, which was recently announced by US President Donald Trump. Since then, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had been extremely vocal against both Israel and the US. Erdogan frequently termed Israel as a “terrorist and child murderer state”. 

During his opening speech at the OIC summit, Erdogan blamed the US and lashed out at Israel saying, “Israel, which is guilty of occupation, blockade, illegal settlements, destruction of houses, displacement, seizing land and property, disproportional violence and murder, was rewarded for all the terror acts it committed with this decision”.

In the days leading up to the summit, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the fury calling Erdogan "a leader who bombs Kurdish villagers and supports terrorists”. 

During the OIC meeting, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said, "US President (Donald) Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and the decision and order to move the US embassy to Jerusalem is a clear breach of international laws and signed agreements."

OIC members are hoping to receive international support for their current efforts. Erdogan stated they will go to the UN Security Council to annul the US decision and will work to obtain a full membership for the Palestinian State.

OIC leaders said the US move signaled that it had withdrawn itself as a sponsor of peace in the Middle East. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said, "The United States has never been an honest mediator and it will never be. The recent action by the US administration made it clear for the people, who wished a positive role by the US in resolving the issue of Palestine that the US is only seeking to secure the maximum interests of the Zionists and consider no respect for the legitimate demands of Palestinians."

The latest developments are likely to affect the Turkish-Israeli relationship. Erdogan had also announced Turkey would consider cutting all ties with Israel, however, it’s not clear if that would happen. The two countries also have economic ties and mutual interest in energy cooperation. 

Jerusalem has been central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades. Since the US decision, thousands have demonstrated against the move both in Asia and the Middle East.