Hamas, a Palestinian group, has called on Sierra Leone to reconsider its plan to establish an embassy in the city of 'al-Quds' (Jerusalem), an area under Israeli occupation. The group urges Sierra Leone to support the Palestinian cause and their rights.
This request follows Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio's announcement of his country's intention to establish an embassy in Jerusalem.
Jerusalem holds immense historical significance, being revered by the three major Abrahamic religions. Referred to as 'al-Quds,' signifying 'The Holy One,' the city's status is contested in international law and diplomatic circles. Both Israelis and Palestinians claim it as their capital.
On a recent Saturday, Hamas representative Abdul-Latif Qanu criticized Sierra Leone's decision, deeming it an affront to Palestinian rights and an endorsement of territorial occupation. He voiced concerns about the increasing Israeli actions against Palestinians and their sacred sites.
Qanu underscored that Sierra Leone's position might be seen as validating the actions of occupying forces and settlers who are seizing Palestinian territories, particularly in the al-Quds region. He called for a reconsideration of Sierra Leone's stance to align with the Palestinian cause.
Reports indicate that Sierra Leone is the sixth country expressing intent to establish an embassy in Jerusalem.
In 2018, then-US President Donald Trump moved the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a decision met with substantial criticism. Among the 94 embassies in Israel, only four—those of Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, and the United States—are located in Jerusalem, while the rest are situated in the coastal city of Tel Aviv.