UAE: The Arab parliament condemns Kosovo’s decision to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem, which recognizes the disputed holy city as Israel’s capital, reports Jordan’s state agency Petra.
The organization called on Kosovo on Tuesday to change its mind about the embassy’s location and comply with international resolutions on the rule of law in the holy city.
Israel and Kosovo closed diplomatic ties on Monday, with the Muslim-majority territory recognizing Jerusalem as the Jewish state’s capital.
The decision follows Israel’s normalization of ties with four Arab states amid a series of deals mediated last year by former US President Donald Trump, collectively known as the Abraham Treaty.
Contrary to Kosovo’s decision to relocate its embassy, those who were part of the Abrahamic Agreement – the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan – all said that their diplomatic missions would remain in Tel Aviv, in line with a global consensus to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital until the Palestinian conflict is resolved.
In exchange for establishing its mission in Jerusalem, Kosovo receives recognition from Israel because it wants to legitimize its 2008 declaration of independence from its former war enemy Serbia.
Due to coronavirus restrictions, officials on Monday signed separate statements in Jerusalem and Pristina.
Kosovo’s top diplomat, Meliza Haradinaj-Stublla, thanked Israel for becoming the 117th country to recognize its independence and join a large part of the Western world.
China, Russia and five members of the European Union did not recognize Kosovo.
“Kosovo has waited a very long time to establish diplomatic relations with Israel,” Haradinaj-Stublla said.