Politics
22:21, 05-Dec-2017
Turkey warns of cutting diplomatic ties with Israel if US recognizes Jerusalem as capital
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The potential move by the US to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital could prompt Turkey to cut off diplomatic relations with Israel, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday.
"This could go as far as cutting our diplomatic relations with Israel. You cannot take such a step," Erdogan told a parliamentary group meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
He warned Washington that Jerusalem is a "red line" for Muslims, adding Ankara will take measures in the event of a possible US move, including convening the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul.
Spokesperson for the Turkish government Bekir Bozdag also warned that Washington's move to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital would be a "disaster" for the region, leading to new conflicts.
Reports emerged last week that US President Donald Trump was mulling the imminent relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and the formal recognition of the city as Israel's capital.
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency