‘THIS IS A RECIPE FOR VIOLENCE, EXTREMISM, GOD KNOWS WHAT’

Palestinians react with outrage and sadness as hopes for a two-state solution are dashed by US president Trump’s decision, Ben Lynfield writes

News that US president Donald Trump has recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and begun the process of moving the US embassy there from Tel Aviv sparked warnings from enraged Palestinian officials of a possible new intifada.

Meanwhile, a senior Israeli cabinet minister made the bewildering comment that the step would advance peace.

“This is a recipe for extremism, for violence, for God knows what,” said Abdullah Abdullah, a Palestinian legislator who supports president Mahmoud Abbas.

Mr Abdullah said history since 1929 had shown the Palestinians rose up against attempts to alter Jerusalem’s status.

Asked if there could be a new intifada, he said: “It’s possible. Every means available to us we will use to oppose such a move and its consequences.”

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the move, which will overturn seven decades of US policy and deal a sharp blow to prospects of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Mr Netanyahu’s far-right education minister, Naftali Bennett, said peace would not be reached without “recognition of Jerusalem. I don’t know what will happen in the short term but in the long run this is an important step on the path to peace”.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem, with its holy places for Jews, Christians and Muslims, during the 1967 war and then annexed it in breach of international law.

The Palestinians, who see East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, regard the US move as perpetuating that annexation and closing an issue that should be negotiated.

“This is the most dangerous decision,” Mr Abdullah. “It takes the US out of the role of broker and puts America against all international institutions.

“When you have the strongest country in the world siding with the occupier, this means the destruction of American involvement in peacemaking.”

He said “now the Israelis will use this cover as a protection in their violations of international law and security council resolutions, whether regarding Jerusalem or the Palestinians”.

Senior Muslim cleric Ekrema Sabri, the former mufti of Jerusalem, called Mr Trump’s decision “an unjust, aggressive provocation against all the Muslims and Christians”.

“We don’t recognise any American decision,” Mr Sabri said. “We adhere to the decision of God, the most blessed and supreme. America has no relation to Jerusalem, just as Jews don’t.”

Asked if there would be violence, he said: “Everything is possible. The people, if they rise up, don’t wait to consult others. Pressure leads to an explosion.”

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh denounced Mr Trump’s move as “aggression against the Palestinians, the Muslims and all free people in the world”.

“No one can foresee how things will develop after such a decision not only on the Palestinian level but that of the region as a whole,” Mr Haniyeh said.

Imad Muna, a native of East Jerusalem who owns a book shop on its main thoroughfare, said: “The Palestinian street is boiling. We are talking about Jerusalem, Al Aqsa Mosque, the churches, the holy places. The feeling is the heart is beating.

“As a Palestinian Jerusalemite, I say that Donald Trump won’t decide to whom Jerusalem belongs. Jerusalem was, is and will be for Palestinians. We remain on our land and nothing can change that.”

Mr Muna said he could accept West Jerusalem being recognised as Israel’s capital if at the same time East Jerusalem was recognised as the capital of Palestine.

“Without Jerusalem there is no state and no peace.”

Israeli dove Alon Liel, former director general of the foreign ministry, said: “This is the kiss of death to the peace process and the two-state idea. I live in Jerusalem and am worried for myself, my children and grandchildren.

“This will turn Jerusalem into an impossible place to live in. I want to live in a democracy, and if the two-state solution is crushed then we have to go to other solutions that will ruin democracy in Israel.”

An Abbas supporter says history shows Palestinians rise up against any attempt to change Jerusalem’s status