Social Sciences University of Ankara (ASBU) monitored with huge concern the decision of the American President Trump to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel which resulted in moving the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on 14 May 2018. Not only is this is against the international law, but it is also in direct conflict with a number of UN Security Council resolutions. It brings an end to the two states solution, which the international community has been trying to achieve for a long time. In addition, while the Israelis were celebrating the movement of the American Embassy, the Israeli soldiers massacred an additional 60 Palestinians civilians, including children and women, who were protesting peacefully against the Israeli occupation and its blockade of the Gaza Strip for more than a decade. Today (15 May 2018), the Palestinians commemorate 70 years of the Nakbah (Catastrophe) where they have been suffering all kinds of persecutions and massacres.

This action is happening as a practical step of the “century deal” which the Trump administration is trying to impose in the region, and at a time where there are serious problems, over fragmentation and divisions in a number of Arab countries, and a serious internal split among the Palestinians. The issue of Jerusalem is not only a Palestinian one but also an issue for Muslims and all humans who are concerned with justice and freedom. We argue that the cost of this ideological, political and business decision of the Trump administration will be very high and a very serious one. Indeed, it will spark unrest not only in the region but might have a severe impact on the global security; and possibly lead to a global war.

ASBU denounces Trump’s decision and actions regarding Jerusalem and welcomes the decisions of Turkey at local, regional and international levels, in particular, Turkey’s decision to recall its ambassadors in both Washington and Tel Aviv for consultation. We hope that other countries will follow Turkey’s action. As a practical step, we call upon all Turkish academicians and universities to activate an academic boycott of Israeli universities and institutions of higher education.