Firebrand Iraq Cleric Warns US on Israel Embassy Move
Moving the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would be a declaration of war on Islam, influential Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said Tuesday.
"Transferring the US embassy to Jerusalem would be a public and more-explicit-than-ever declaration of war against Islam," he said in a statement.
In a break with previous administrations, new US President Donald Trump has pledged to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and relocate the US embassy there from Tel Aviv.
Sadr, a firebrand Shiite cleric whose militia once fought US occupation forces in Iraq, called for the "formation of a special division to liberate Jerusalem were the decision to be implemented."
Sadr said the Cairo-based Arab League as well as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the world's main pan-Islamic body, should take a decisive stand on the issue or dissolve themselves.
The Najaf-based cleric also called "for the immediate closure of the US embassy in Iraq" should Washington go ahead with its promised embassy transfer in Israel.
Sadr supporters protesting against the lack of services and widespread corruption in the Iraqi state stormed the so-called "Green Zone" in Baghdad twice last year.
The protesters entered the parliament buildings and the prime minister's office but did not attempt anything against the US embassy there, which is Washington's largest foreign mission.
The United States works with Iraq on a range of issues, notably with military backing for the Iraqi offensive to retake large parts of the country seized by the Islamic State group.
The final status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest issues in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel considers Jerusalem -- including the eastern Palestinian sector it annexed in 1980 -- as its indivisible capital. The Palestinians want to make east Jerusalem the capital of their future state.
The White House on Sunday appeared to play down suggestions that a move was imminent, with press secretary Sean Spicer saying: "We are at the very beginning stages of even discussing this subject."
7 years
like most shia iranians, he does not believe in violence and 'revenge' and anything you hear to the contrary is pure propaganda and hasbara talk.
7 years
What prevents your Salafi groups occupying Quneitra area to storm Israel?
7 years
i don't hear the salafis chant death to israel death to amreeka but i hear you and your heretics bark all day 360 days a year even on 'February the 30th' chanting those slogans and wanting to liberate palestine.
7 years
The groups you support, Al Nusra, Ahrar Al Sham etc. They say they fight against oppression of Sunnis, then how come they don't fight for the Sunnis of Palestine?
Because they serve Israel that is, the do no fight for Palestine and never will. Palestine is about justice, the war in syria is about Wahabism.
7 years
terrorist, how about them receiving medical attention from Israeli field hospitals, look at my Youtube Link below, what do you have to say about that?
7 years
Why do you care about what happens in Syria then?
7 years
Here is your heroes, cowards. They love Israel too, just like you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQI9hKQLry8
7 years
Bad answer, it is Vice News.
Firebrand Iraq Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has earned my tremendous respect and admiration for warning the USA and declaring moving the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would be a declaration of war on Islam.
He indeed is a true moslem and heaven awaits him.