The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Tensions rise as Trump recognises Jerusalem as capital of Israel
Protesters burn photographs of US President
Israel is bracing itself for an outbreak of violence after US President Donald Trump said he officially recognised Jerusalem as the country’s capital.
The move, which was met with widespread opposition and anger, upends decades of US policy.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was among leaders to immediately denounce the statement and accused the US of “withdrawing” from the peace process.
More than 250,000 protesting Palestinians took to the streets in Gaza, some burning photographs of Mr Trump.
The US President said in a White House speech that he deemed the change of policy to be in America’s interests.
He said the decision “marks the beginning of a new approach to conflict between Israel and the Palestinians”.
World leaders have warned that the move could inflame tensions in the volatile Middle East.
Mr Trump also said he is directing the State Department to begin preparations to move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
He said the move would allow the department to begin hiring architects and making other plans, adding that it was “a recognition of reality”.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that Israel is “profoundly grateful”, adding that Mr Trump’s announcement marks a “historic day” and is an “important step towards peace”.
He said his country “will continue to work with the president and his team to make that dream of peace come true”.
Theresa May branded Mr Trump “unhelpful” but added she “shared his desire” to end the conflict in the Middle East.
The Prime Minister also reiterated there were no plans to move the British embassy in Israel from its current base in Tel Aviv.
Mrs May said: “We disagree with the US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem and recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital before a final status agreement. We believe it is unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region.
“Our position on the status of Jerusalem is clear and long-standing: it should be determined in a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and Jerusalem should ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states.”
She added: “We welcome his (Mr Trump’s) commitment today to a twostate solution negotiated between the parties, and note the importance of his clear acknowledgement that the final status of Jerusalem, including the sovereign boundaries within the city, must be subject to negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians.”
Meanwhile, the head of the Islamic militant group Hamas accused Mr Trump of disregarding Palestinian feelings with his move.
Ismail Haniyeh said in a statement that the Palestinian people “know how to respond properly to the disregard of their feelings and sanctuaries”.
He said the decision “will not change the facts of history and geography”.
Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, is considered a terrorist group by Israel, the US and other Western allies.