world protests u.s. betrayal

Anger and revulsion as Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel capital and decides to move embassy there

occupied jerusalem — Hundreds of Palestinian protesters clashed with Israeli troops across the West Bank on Thursday while demonstrators in Gaza burned posters of President Donald Trump over his widely denounced decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

The leader of the Hamas militant group, which runs Gaza, called for a new armed uprising in a widespread show of anger, as the demonstrators torched American and Israeli flags.

In the West Bank, crowds of protesters set tyres on fire and hurled stones at Israeli troops. In Bethlehem, troops fired water cannons and tear gas to disperse a crowd, in clashes that could cloud the upcoming Christmas celebrations in the town. In Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian government, protesters set tyres on fire, sending a thick plume of black smoke over the city.

Trump’s dramatic break on Wednesday with decades of US policy on Jerusalem counters longstanding international assurances to the Palestinians that the fate of the city will be determined in negotiations. The Palestinians seek Israeli-occupied east Jerusalem, captured by Israel in 1967, as a future capital.

Palestinians shuttered their schools and shops on Thursday to begin three “days of rage” over Trump’s decision. The Israeli military said it would deploy several battalions to the West Bank ahead of Friday, while other troops have been put on alert to address “possible developments.” —

Such unilateral decisions are contrary to internationally legitimate resolution sand will not change the legal status of [occupied] Jerusalem. UAE

The Kingdom expresses great regret over the US president’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Saudi Arabia

The decision of the US administration to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel threatens the peace process in the Middle East. Bahrain

Trump’s decision does not only threaten the Arab and Islamic identity of Al Quds, but also the Christian identity of the city. Oganisation of Islamic Cooperation

We believe the only realistic solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine is based on two states and with Jerusalem as the capital of both. Federica Mogherini, EU foreign policy chief

AFP BURNiNG RaGE: a Palestinian stands between burning tyres during clashes with israeli troops during a protest at the Jewish settlement of Beit El, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, on Thursday. —

KT GRAPHIC • SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN