LIVE: Calls for Palestinian uprising after Trump's Jerusalem move
After 70 years, Donald Trump did on Wednesday what no previous US president has done – recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The announcement has sparked anger and protest across the Middle East while being welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and supporters of Israel.
Leaders in Gaza and the West Bank have called for a strong response, with protests in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. Israeli soldiers were deployed in anticipation of unrest.
We’ll be bringing you live updates here.
Feel free to leave comments and news tips below; we’re also on Twitter @MiddleEastEye and Facebook.
Photo: Protesters shout slogans and wave the Jordanian flag during a protest near the American Embassy in Amman against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on December 7, 2017. (AFP)
Live Updates
The Turkish Communist Party (TKP) became the latest to rally for Palestine, calling the US move the latest provocative decision that would not gain traction with the peoples of the world. It went on to say the only way for Jerusalem to become a city of peace was through socialism.
Apart from a joint statement by the political parties in the Turkish parliament slamming Trump’s statement and official criticism of the move by the Turkish government, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP) also condemned the move during a visit to London and said his party would never accept Trump’s decision.
“Everyone who cares about peace and the Middle East has been deeply hurt [by Trump’s move]. How can you plant such a bomb in a place where so much bloodshed, pain and tears already prevail? It is Palestinian blood spilled on those lands; Palestinians who pay the price.”
Meanwhile the Anadolu Agency reported that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed the issue with several leaders, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Qatar, Malaysia, Tunisia and Sudan.
Earlier he lashed out at Trump's decision, saying it would put the region in a "ring of fire", adding: "Taking this type of step puts the world, especially the region, in a ring of fire. Hey, Trump, what do you want to do? What kind of approach is this? Political leaders do not stir things up, they seek to make peace.”
MEE Correspondent Lubna Masarwa is on the ground in Jerusalem.
She's speaking to Palestinians who are protesting outside the Old City in East Jerusalem.
Dauod, 27, who lives in the Old City, told MEE he felt "betrayed by the Arab nations and the whole world".
"England promised our land Palestine to the Jewish people and America gave Jerusalem to Israel," said Daoud.
"We don't rely on anyone even our leadership. It's on us, the Palestinian people to not be silent on all of this. We will lead the struggle. You saw that in the crises of the Aqsa last summer and you will see what will happen now."
Jerusalem is one of the most revered cities in the world, held in holy esteem by Jews, Muslims and Christians. But it also makes it fragmented, with occupation of its streets and neighbourhoods highly contentious and politicised. This map gives some sense of how complicated the situation is.
@OborneTweets has criticised the UK embassy in Tel Aviv for its Twitter feed yesterday. While the world waited to hear from Trump in Washington, the British diplomatic mission in Tel Aviv was flagging up a screening of Netflix series #TheCrown
The embassy subsequently retweeted the criticism of Trump's decision by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Prime Minister Theresa May.
Peter Oborne has previously taken aim in Middle East Eye at the social media activity of British diplomats in the region…
Two people were reportedly wounded on the Gaza border after clashes broke out between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians protesting Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
(Via Haaretz and Reuters)
US State Department instructs all diplomatic staff top defer non-essential travel to Israel, Jerusalem and West Bank until 20 December.
Via Reuters
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said US President Donald Trump’s decision to move the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem constitutes a “withdrawal” by Washington from its role as a mediator in the peace process.
Abbas described the move as a “reward” to Israel for its violation of international agreements and UN Security Council resolutions.
He said Trump’s decision will encourage Israel to continue its policies of “occupation, settlement-building, apartheid and ethnic cleansing”.
Abbas also called Jerusalem “the eternal capital of the Palestinian state”.
He said all Palestinian factions would meet in the coming days to weigh their options and come out with a unified Palestinian position.
Small crowds have begun gathering outside the Damascus gate in the Old City of Jerusalem since the morning, while clashes were reported in cities across the West Bank.
Middle East Eye is live on the ground from Bethlehem in the West Bank where clashes have begun between Palestinian protesters and the Israeli army.
Evangelical Christians in America have praised President Trump's plans to move the US embassy to Jerusalem.
Laurie Cardoza-Moore, who is the president of Proclaiming Justice to the Nations, described Trump "as advancing the most biblically historic initiative of his presidency".
She added: "Should President Trump prove to be a man of his word, it is one more step in reversing the policies of the four previous administrations before him. The Judeo-Christian United States of America can once again say, 'Israel – We’ve got your back!'"
US President Donald Trump has announced that the US "officially recognises Jerusalem as the capital" of the Israeli state.
In his remarks he described the move as a "necessary move" to "achieving peace" and for Israel to act based on its "sovereign right".
"Today Jerusalem is the seat of the Israeli government. It is the home of the Israeli parliament, as well as the supreme court. It is the official location of the Israeli prime minister."
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that America will officially move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
"The US is committed to finding a solution that is acceptable to both sides," said Trump.
"There will, of course, be disagreement and dissent on this announcement but we are confident."
Here's a round-up of what Trump just announced:
1) The US embassy will be officially moving to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv despite international opposition.
2) US Vice President Mike Pence will visit the Middle East in coming days to reassure leaders.
3) Donald Trump aims to build a "magnificent" embassy building in the name of peace and tolerance in Jerusalem.
4) America will continue to support a "shared capital" and "determined to support a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians".
Trump has announced plans for US Vice President Mike Pence to visit the Middle East in wake of announcement to move America's embassy to Jerusalem.