JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) -- A New Jersey Islamic group has suspended an imam who delivered an anti-Semitic sermon earlier this month.

NJ.com reports the Islamic Center of Jersey City recently announced it had suspended Aymen Elkasaby. According to the Middle East Media Research Institute, Elkasaby said, "So long as the Al Aqsa Mosque remains prisoner in the hands of the Jews, this nation will remain humiliated." MEMRI says the imam called for the destruction of "plundering oppressors."

Elkasaby's remarks followed President Donald Trump's decision on Dec. 6 to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Trump's decision was met with intense opposition from world leaders.

Islamic Center president Ahmed Shedeed denounced Elkasaby's comments in a statement. Shedeed says the imam has been suspended without pay and will undergo training.

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