Official Tbilisi: We Support Peaceful Resolution of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has stated that Georgia supports the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which fuelled up again after the statement of the United States President Donald Trump, recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The MFA said that they are closely monitoring developments, as this issue is being discussed widely internationally, including at the United Nations.

“Georgia supports the efforts of the international community aimed at the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which should be achieved through an agreement based on dialogue,” the ministry stated, adding Georgia will continue consultations with its partners.

The Trump administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital on Wednesday was denounced by the Arab world, with political leaders, commentators and locals labeling the move as provocative and a threat to global security.

Palestinians clashed with Israeli security forces on Thursday. Dozens of people were wounded as Israeli forces used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets, as thousands of Palestinians demonstrated in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. 

The protests spread to Jordan, where demonstrators near the US embassy in Amman torched the US flag and pictures of Trump.

While announcing his position as the “will of the American people”, Trump said this decision was in the best interests of the US and the “pursuit of peace between Israel and the Palestinians."

He also said he was directing the US state department to begin preparations to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The UN security council called a meeting for December 8 to discuss Trump’s decision, the condemnation of which continues to mount not only across the Middle East, but internationally as well.

East Jerusalem, which includes the Old City, was annexed by Israel after the 6-day war of 1967, and since then it has not been internationally recognized as part of Israel.

According to the 1993 Israel-Palestinian peace accords, the final status of Jerusalem is meant to be discussed in the latter stages of peace talks.

By Thea Morrison

Photo source: AP