(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said that no lasting and comprehensive Middle East peace could be reached with the continuation of the Israeli occupation of Jerusalem.
"Nobody can take sole authority over Jerusalem, peace in the Middle East is impossible without it," said Davutoglu at the opening ceremony of the "International Meeting on the Question of Jerusalem" held in Ankara Monday as part of the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. "Jerusalem is Palestinian land and I hope Palestine will be a member of United Nations. It is the UN's obligation to do so." He went on to say that those people who do not understand the importance of Jerusalem and Palestinian rights are "attacking the conscience of humanity".
"We should be aware of the areas of ethical and ontological, cultural and political responsibility for Jerusalem," Davutoglu said.
He underscored that according to international law, Jerusalem is considered an occupied city, and there were two major problems to consider under this framework, those being refugees and Jerusalem's legal status.
"We are witnessing occupation of Palestinian lands since 1948, as well as Al-Aqsa Mosque. The international community should ensure justice and the rule of law through different platforms," said Davutoglu.
"If the UN decisions are not being implemented, then why they were taken in the first place?" he wondered.
The Ankara meeting is jointly organized by the UN's Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Turkey.
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