JERUSALEM: World leaders chastise US as Palestinians call for ‘days of rage’ over decision

The decision by the President of the United States of America Donald Trump to declare Jerusalem as the new capital of Israel has drawn the ire of some world leaders who have chastised the move.

It has also angered Palestinian leaders who are now calling for three days of rage against the declaration.

Reports say many, especially leaders in the Middle East feel Washington’s decision threatens to upend stability across the region and ruins any remaining prospects to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

In his remarks after the move was made, Lebanon’s president, Michel Aoun said the US decision threatened the peace process and stability in the wider Middle East.

Jordan, meanwhile, viewed the decision as illegal because it “consolidates the Israeli occupation” of East Jerusalem.

“The decision, which pre-empts the outcome of final status negotiations, fuels anger and inflames the passions of Muslims and Christians throughout the Arab and Muslim worlds,” Mohammad al-Momani, spokesperson for the Jordanian government, said in a statement.

Read also: Security beefed up at US Middle East embassies as Trump moves to announce Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

According to reports, protests also broke out in the Gaza Strip in response to the naming of Jerusalem as the new capital of Israel as hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets in Gaza City on Wednesday, carrying banners denouncing Trump decision.

Speaking to Al Jazeera from Gaza, Hamas leader Ismail Haniya described Trump’s decision as a “flagrant aggression”.

“This decision is an uncalculated gamble that will know no limit to the Palestinian, Arab and Muslim reaction,” he said.

“We call for stopping this decision fully because this will usher in the beginning of a time of terrible transformations, not just on the Palestinian level but on the region as a whole. This decision means the official announcement of the end of the peace process.”

The status of Jerusalem – a holy site for Israelis and Palestinians – is extremely contentious as Israel has always regarded Jerusalem as its capital city, while the Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

In recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the US becomes the first country to do so since the foundation of the state in 1948.

 

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