In response to U.S. President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Turkey and Lebanon have both announced their intentions to open embassies in East Jerusalem.
In a post on his personal Twitter account, Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil announced he had informed President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas of his willingness to establish a Lebanese embassy in East Jerusalem "the capital of Palestine", as he emphasized.
Abbas had also promised to provide a piece of land for Lebanon's mission in Jerusalem, as the plan will be further discussed during Thursday's cabinet meeting, Bassil said, according to the Daily Star.
Bassil had also expressed his stand and commitment to Jerusalem through another tweet saying: "Those who abandon Jerusalem, abandon their Arab identity."
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had also voiced Turkey's intention to open an embassy in East Jerusalem.
"God willing, the day is close when officially, with God’s permission, we will open our embassy there," Erdoğan said, according to the Guardian.
Erdoğan was not clear on how he would carry out the move as Israel controls all of Jerusalem and considers the holy city its indivisible capital.
His announcement came days after leading calls at a summit of Muslim leaders for the world to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit was a response to Trump’s controversial decision earlier this month.
The 57-member OIC considered Trump's move to be a declaration that Washington is no longer an honest broker of peace, capable of working toward stability in the region. The statement was issued at the end of the emergency summit which was held in Istanbul, Turkey.
The general public's reaction came pouring
The announcements were seen controversial and had sparked various reactions from the public.
People took to Twitter and had a lot to say...
Some think it's a way to recognize the existence of Israel
"A Lebanese embassy in East Jerusalem!!! We cant even visit Palestine without passing by the Zionist enemy's checkpoints... which is a form of recognition of the Zionist state!"
"It's unrealistic and pure imagination"
"Erdogan's nonsense about opening a Turkish embassy in East Jerusalem is not applicable in reality. It's unrealistic and pure imagination. It's just words to fill powerful speeches he is good at, just like other leaders of the region."
It counts as "normalization"
"Establishing our embassy in East Jerusalem means normalizing the occupation."
Others are throwing their hats off for Gebran Bassil... including political and social activists
"Gebran Bassil, a powerful voice in times of Arab weakness."
"Resistance for Jerusalem"
"What the Arabs did not and will not dare to do for Palestine is to be accomplished by Gebran Bassil! Resistance for Jerusalem. We are proud of you! You never fail to amaze us!"
"It would be a dream come true"
"Can you imagine if it works out with Gebran Bassil to establish a Lebanese embassy in Jerusalem? It would be a dream come true to go pilgrimage in Jerusalem the capital of Palestine. It might be difficult but not impossible with Gebran."