Ramallah (Palestinian Territories), Dec 7 (AFP) USPresident Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel'scapital sparked Palestinian protests, clashes and a call for anew intifada today as fears grew of fresh bloodshed in theregion.
Trump's announcement also prompted an almost universaldiplomatic backlash that continued on Thursday, with freshwarnings from Turkey, the European Union and Russia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu howeverlavished praise on Trump, saying his name would now beassociated with Jerusalem's long history and urging othercountries to follow his lead.
The Israeli military deployed hundreds more troops to theoccupied West Bank amid uncertainty over the fallout, whileclashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forceserupted in various areas.
In a speech in Gaza City, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyacalled for a new intifada, or uprising.
Protests were held in West Bank cities includingRamallah, Hebron and Nablus, as well as in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces dispersed several hundred protesters withtear gas at a checkpoint at the entrance to Ramallah, whilethe Palestinian Red Crescent reported dozens wounded from teargas, rubber bullets and live fire in the West Bank.
Three Palestinians were wounded east of the city of KhanYunis in the Gaza Strip, medical sources and witnesses said.
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 it 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 his willingness to part with international consensuson such a sensitive issue drew increasingly urgent warningsfrom around the world.
EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said the decisioncould take the region "backwards to even darker times."Russia said it viewed the move with "serious concern" andSaudi Arabia called it "unjustified and irresponsible."Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it would putthe region in a "ring of fire.""Hey Trump! What do you want to do?" he asked.
"What kind of approach is this? Political leaders do notstir things up, they seek to make peace."Palestinian leaders were outraged, with president MahmudAbbas saying Trump had disqualified the United States from itstraditional role as peace broker in the Middle East conflict.
Palestinian shops in east Jerusalem, including the OldCity, as well as in the West Bank were largely shuttered andschools closed on Thursday 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, which was set for tomorrow. (AFP)CPS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.