Jeddah, November 5 (RHC)-- The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned as “illegal” a decision by Brazil's far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to move his country's embassy from Tel Aviv to Israeli-occupied Jerusalem.

“The declaration was a flagrant violation of international law and of all relevant UN resolutions,” the OIC said in a statement released on Sunday.  The Jeddah-based international organization called on Brazil to respect its legal and political obligations under international law and resolutions, and to embrace positions that support chances of making peace under the so-called two-state solution.

On Friday, the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, called upon Bolsonaro to reverse his decision, terming it “an affront to the Palestinian people as well as Arab and Muslim nations.”   A senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) also strongly condemned the Brazilian president-elect's announcement that he would move his country's Israel embassy to Jerusalem.

“These are provocative and illegal steps that will only destabilize security and stability in the region,” Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the PLO's executive committee, told AFP.   She added, “It is very unfortunate that Brazil has joined this negative alliance against international law.”

Last week, just days after the election, Bolsonaro announced his intention to relocate the Brazilian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem once he formally assumed the presidency.  The move will make the giant Latin American country the third state to relocate its embassy in Israel after the United States and Guatemala.

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, quickly welcomed the plan and issued a statement, praising the decision.  “I congratulate my friend Brazilian President-Elect, Jair Bolsonaro, for his intention to move the Brazilian embassy to Jerusalem, a historic, correct and exciting step,” Netanyahu commented.

Australia now says it is also considering following in the U.S. footsteps by recognizing Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and moving Canberra's embassy to the occupied city.