Jerusalem, Dec 7 (AFP) US President Donald Trump'srecognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital sparked aPalestinian general strike and a call for a new intifada todayas fears grew of fresh bloodshed in the region.
The Israeli military deployed hundreds of more troops tothe occupied West Bank amid uncertainty over the fallout fromTrump's decision.
A mass demonstration was being planned for the West Bankcity of Ramallah later. Several thousand marched in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip last night, burning US and Israeli flags whilechanting "Death to America" and "Death to Israel."Trump's announcement prompted an almost universaldiplomatic backlash that continued today, with TurkishPresident Recep Tayyip Erdogan warning it would put the regionin a "ring of fire".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu howeverlavished praised on Trump, saying his name would now beassociated with Jerusalem's long history and urging othercountries to follow his lead.
Trump's defiant move -- making good on a pledge madeduring his 2016 presidential campaign -- ends seven decades ofUS ambiguity on the status of the Holy City, which is claimedby both Israelis and Palestinians.
Trump said this marks the start of a "new approach" tosolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"It is time to officially recognise Jerusalem as thecapital of Israel," he said in a speech from the White Houseon Wednesday, urging calm and "the voices of tolerance toprevail over the purveyors of hate."But immediately the move sparked anger among Palestiniansand their supporters.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniya called for a new intifada, oruprising, in a speech in Gaza City.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said Trump's movedisqualifies the United States from its traditional role aspeace broker in the Middle East conflict.
Saudi Arabia called the move "unjustified andirresponsible."Erdogan asked: "Hey Trump! What do you want to do?"What kind of approach is this? Political leaders do notstir things up, they seek to make peace," he said, addressingthe US leader directly in one of his most familiar rhetoricalhabits.
Palestinian shops in east Jerusalem, including the OldCity, as well as in the West Bank were largely shuttered andschools closed today after a general strike was called.
"By this decision, America became a very small country,like any small country in the world, like Micronesia," SalahZuhikeh, 55, told AFP in Jerusalem's Old City.
"America was a great country for us and everyone."Trump's move left many angry US allies struggling to finda diplomatic response.
Through gritted teeth, Britain described the move as"unhelpful" and France called it "regrettable." Germany saidplainly that it "does not support" Trump's decision.
Eight countries including Britain, France and Italypressed for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council inresponse to the move, which was set for tomorrow.
The leaders of Muslim nations meanwhile deployed ever-harsher rhetoric to describe Trump's decision, while Jordanand the Palestinians requested an emergency meeting of ArabLeague foreign ministers.
Trump also kicked off the process of moving the USembassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
In doing so, he begins to make good on a campaign promisedear to US evangelical Christian and right-wing Jewish voters-- as well as donors.
Trump's predecessors, from Bill Clinton to George Bush,had made the same promise, but quickly reneged upon takingoffice.
The 45th US president was determined to show his arrivalin Washington spells the end of business as usual, suggestinghis predecessors failed to act though lack of "courage."Israel seized Arab east Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by theinternational community.
The Palestinians want the eastern sector as the capitalof their future state.
Several peace plans have unravelled in the past decadesover the issue of how to divide sovereignty or oversee holysites in Jerusalem.
The international community does not formally recognisethe ancient city as Israel's capital, insisting the issue canonly be resolved in negotiations -- a point reiterated by UNchief Antonio Guterres in the wake of Trump's decision.
Guterres implicitly criticised Trump, stressing hisopposition to "any unilateral measures that would jeopardisethe prospect of peace."Trump insisted the move did not prejudge final talks,saying it simply reflected the reality that west Jerusalem isand will continue to be part of Israel under any settlement.
(AFP)ZH.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.