UN: Jerusalem should be decided by Palestinians, Israelis

United Nations special envoy to the Middle East Nikolay Mladenov said Jerusalem was sacred for the three heavenly religions - Islam, Christianity and Judaism - and its status should be decided via direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Mladenov, addressing an urgent UN Security Council on Jerusalem, called for reversing all decisions and provocative statement over Jerusalem, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.
The UN has always emphasised that changing the status of Jerusalem would jeopardise the peace process and any unilateral decision will abort the peace process, he warned.
The UNSC session was called following US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to prepare to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied city.
Mladenov called for self-restraint and avoid any provocative actions that would further fuel the tension.
In earlier remarks, he insisted on the universal character of the city.
“It will always host Christian, Jewish and Muslim holy sites. This is what makes Jerusalem so universally important to everyone, and this is what makes any decision on Jerusalem so emotional,” Mladenov said.
Trump's decision resulted in an uproar around the Arab and Muslim countries.
Protests were reported in Arab and Muslim countries in protest against Trump's move.
Egyptian permanent representative to the UN Amro Abdulata expressed deep concern over ramifications of Trump's decision, which touched upon the spiritual, cultural and historic character of the holy city.
Trump's decision will have "very negative impacts" on the peace process, which considered Jerusalem one of the final status issues decided through negotiations.

Source: BNA