Cairo meet backs Palestinian, Arab identity of Jerusalem

Cairo - Holding the conference on Jerusalem showed the importance the holy city enjoyed in religious and historical dimensions.

Speaker of the Arab Parliament Mishaal bin Fahm Al Salami has said that the Arab parliament is working to support the efforts of Palestinian people at all levels, adding that the roots of Jerusalem are embedded in the Palestinian and Arab identity.
Speaking at the "World Conference in Support of Jerusalem", which is being held in Cairo in cooperation with Al Azhar and Muslim Council of Elders, Al Salami emphasised that all Arab and Islamic institutions and organisations were unanimous in rejecting US President Donald Trump's decision of recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the US decision to freeze crucial funding for the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees was aimed at wiping out the whole issue.
"This decision affects the education and health of Palestinians and aims to eradicate the question of refugees," Ahmed Aboul Gheit said at the conference.
Gheit added that holding the conference on Jerusalem showed the importance the holy city enjoyed in religious and historical dimensions. He denounced the American decision of suspending almost 50 per cent of its aid for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
Egyptian Coptic Pope Tawadros II, Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Marc Episcopate, said that Jerusalem represents hopes of the all people; it's a holy place for Muslims as well as Christians.
He said that after 70 years, the Christians have started rebuilding the city's churches once again. "Muslims also have sacred areas in the city," Pope Tawadros II noted.
Speaker of Kuwait's National Assembly Marzouq Al Ghanim said that despite efforts to erase the Jerusalem issue from people's minds, it grows in people's hearts.
He emphasized that everyone is aware of the Palestinian claim to the city and middle solutions will not be acceptable when it comes to Jerusalem.
He said that Palestinians' claim to Jerusalem would be fully supported, stressing on the importance of realizing the difference between Judaism and Zionism.
malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com