By Lucy Caulkett-
Clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops have taken place in cities across the occupied West Bank in reaction to Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Saudi Arabia condemned it as a”unjustified and irresponsible”, while France and the UK said they did not support the decision. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah party has promised to complain to the UN about what Mr Abbas called a “deplorable” decision,
The most violent confrontations have taken place in Ramallah, Bethlehem and Hebron, where protesters threw stones and set alight barricades. Israeli security forces fired teargas and plastic-coated rounds to disperse the crowds.
Dozens of protesters gathered near the border fence of the Gaza Strip with Israel , as they threw rocks at soldiers on the other side. Two protesters were wounded by fire and one reported to be in a critical condition.
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In the Gaza Strip, dozens of protesters gathered near the border fence with Israel and threw rocks at soldiers on the other side. Two protesters were wounded by live fire, with one reported to be in a critical condition.
A fresh round of violent protests are expected on Friday at mass demonstrations called to follow Friday prayers.
Mr. Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem, has sparked huge condemnation from Arab and European leaders.
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Trump’s statement that recognizing Jerusalem as the capital was “the right thing to do” because it acknowledged the reality of the situation in the city does not explain in what way Jerusalem being the capital of Israel is the reality of the situation when both countries have been feuding oiver the City for decades.
Critics argue that the decision unilaterally taken by Trump prejudices the outcome of negotiations for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Palestinian aspirations for an independent state with East Jerusalem, which has holy sites sacred to Christians, Jews and Muslims, as its capital.
TRUMP ALLIES JOIN CRITICISM
Traditional U.S allies joined the chorus of condemnation against President Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Trump recently officially announced Jerusalem as the official capital of Israel, sparking criticism across several nations.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the announcement as “historic” adding that more countries would follow suit.
President Trump’s move effectively reversed decades of U.S policy on an issue that rocked Israel and Palestinians.
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are scheduled to strike over the announcement with high protests expected on Thursday.
An emergency meeting was called by 8 members of the Security Council. The Arab League is to meet on Saturday.
Mr.Trump had promised to make the historical move during his campaign, but ignored advice for him to refrain from the highly controversial issue. The U.S President appears to have always had strong sentiments against Islamic ideologies, on more than one occasion making reference to a distaste he had for an alleged preferential treatment given to Muslims by Obama’s administration. His announcement today will please Jews all over the world , legal challenges can be trusted to make Trump’s ruling not to easy to execute. Recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital was “nothing more or less than a recognition of reality”, he added. “It is also the right thing to do.”
Trump said the U.S would support a two-state solution to the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict, if approved by both sides, which would essentially see the creation of an independent Palestinian state living alongside Israel.
An important aspect that was missing from Trump’s announcement was the reasoning behind his decision on such a sensitive topic. Behind the reasoning will rise course for discussion and debate, but even his own party members will admit that this announcement is capable of further intensifying tensions between Israel and Palestine. A deeper look at the historical reasons for the decades long conflict between Israel and Palestine may give a clue to how this difficult topic will be resolved.
GRATEFUL
Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was profoundly grateful to Mr Trump, who had “bound himself forever with the history of the capital”.
He also said Israel was “in touch with other countries to follow suit. I have no doubt other embassies will move to Jerusalem – the time has come,” he said.
Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas which runs the Gaza Strip, had earlier called for a “day of rage” on Friday and said it should “be the first day of the intifada against the occupier”.”We have given instructions to all Hamas members and to all its wings to be fully ready for any new instructions or orders that may be given to confront this strategic danger,” he said in a speech in Gaza. As anger and disbelief fills the minds of Palestinians and their allies, there will be plenty of plans to reverse the effects of Trump’s words.
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