Turkey: Erdogan calls for OIC summit in Istanbul December 13

Event

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for an emergency summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul on Wednesday, December 13, per an official Turkish government statement issued Wednesday, December 6. The planned summit is being organized to coordinate the response of Muslim nations and their leaders to the recent US announcement that it will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and begin making preparations to move the US Embassy to the city. Related demonstrations, traffic disruptions, and a heightened security presence are expected in Istanbul in advance of the OIC summit over the coming days.

Context

On Wednesday, December 6, President Trump announced that the US officially recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a departure from the previous US and international position of neutrality on the status of the city claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians; no country has an embassy in Jerusalem. Many world leaders had strongly advised the US administration against the move, claiming it would render impossible the establishment of a Palestinian state and would inflame tensions across the Muslim world. 

Advice

Individuals in Turkey, particularly in Istanbul, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, to anticipate likely transportation disruptions linked to increased security, and to avoid all public demonstrations due to the high risk of violence. Be aware that anti-American and anti-Western sentiment will likely surge in some areas; it is advisable to maintain a low profile and avoid discussing sensitive topics.