‘Gates of hell’ opened

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s decision to break with decades of US and international policy and recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital has led to threats and condemnation from across the world.

Palestinian Liberation Organisation Secretary-General Saeb Erekat told CNN: “President Trump tonight made the biggest mistake of his life”.

“Instead of encouraging the parties to sit together, the parties to put all core issues including Jerusalem on the table and negotiate in good faith, he dictates,” he said.

Mr Erekat has accused Mr Trump of having “destroyed any possibility of a two-state solution”.

Despite urgent appeals from Arab and European leaders and the risk of anti-American protests and violence, Mr Trump declared that he was ending an approach that for decades has failed to advance the prospects for peace.

In response, the UN Security Council will meet today for an emergency session to discuss the decision, the council’s leadership announced.

Mr Trump said recognition acknowledged the “obvious” that Jerusalem is the seat of Israel’s government despite the disputed status that is one of the key elements in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“This is nothing more or less than the recognition of reality,” he said.

Australia will not be following America’s lead, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop confirmed yesterday.

“We will not be taking steps to move our embassy, it will continue to offer diplomatic representation in Tel Aviv,” Ms Bishop said.

Palestinian terrorist group Hamas said President Trump’s decision was “a flagrant aggression against the Palestinian people” and warned it had “opened the gates of hell on US interests in the region”.

Palestinians took to the streets in the Gaza Strip to protest against the decision.

Dozens of angry youths burned tyres in spontaneous protests at several locations on Wednesday after Mr Trump’s declaration.

Hamas has called for more protests over the coming days.