Turkey to Cut Ties with Israel If Jerusalem Recognized as Capital: Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the US president's plan to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel is a "red line" for Muslims and could see him breaking off diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv.

Speaking on Tuesday, Erdogan threatened that Turkey could go as far as breaking off diplomatic ties with Israel if US President Donald Trump formally recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

“That will be a red line for Muslim people,” he added.

Erdogan is the latest in a string of regional leaders, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordan’s King Hussein to warn of negative implications of the move.

Israel captured East Jerusalem in its 1967 aggression. It later annexed it, declaring the whole of the city as its capital in a move which has not been recognised internationally.

Palestinians want Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. It is home to major Muslim, Christian and Jewish holy sites.

US officials hinted a possible recognition might come this week, prompting mounting criticism among Arabs and Muslims.

The diplomatic adviser of President Abbas said the Palestinian leadership would “stop contacts” with the United States if Trump recognised Jerusalem as the Israeli regime’s capital.

Majdi Khaldi said the US would lose credibility as a mediator in the Middle East if the US President went ahead with the move.

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