US President Donald Trump has sparked fury across the Middle East with his announcement yesterday (bottom right) which changed decades of American policy. Lebanon's pro-Hezbollah newspaper al-Akhbar today declared 'Death to America' on a front page (inset) showing a burning US flag and called the decision 'America's new Balfour' referring to the Balfour Declaration in which Britain endorsed the establishment of a Jewish homeland in the Middle East a century ago.
It comes after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Trump of throwing the region into a 'ring of fire' by declaring the divided holy city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. This morning, two senior White House officials admitted Trump's move could temporarily derail the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Left and top right: Protests in Gaza overnight.
A pro-Hezbollah newspaper in Lebanon has declared 'Death to America' on a front page showing a burning US flag after Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
The US President has sparked fury across the Middle East with his announcement yesterday, which changed decades of American policy.
As fears grew of fresh bloodshed in the region, Lebanon's al-Akhbar paper warned there is a 'capable, empowered resistance' in Palestine 'that owns thousands of rockets that can strike Tel Aviv'. Hezbollah, a heavily-armed military and political organisation, has fought numerous conflicts with Israel since it was formed in 1982.
It comes after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Trump of throwing the Middle East into a 'ring of fire' and compared him to a 'blender' stirring up trouble in the area. The Country's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the US 'has pulled the pin on a bomb ready to blow in the region.'
Russia said this morning that it viewed Trump's move with 'serious concern' and will criticise the new stance at the UN Security Council. Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson described the new stance as 'not helpful'.
Trump's White House speech yesterday was greeted by demonstrations and a threat from Hamas, who called for a new 'intifada', or uprising, against Israel after saying the President had 'opened the gates of hell' with his 'flagrant aggression'.
But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Trump had 'bound himself forever' to the history of Jerusalem with his announcement and claimed other states are now considering following the U.S. lead.
Spontaneous protests broke out in Gaza overnight, with angry youths burning tires, American and Israeli flags and Trump posters. The Israeli military said it would deploy several battalions to the West Bank ahead of Friday, while other troops have been put on alert to address 'possible developments.'
Netanyahu said that 'we are already in contact with other states that will make a similar recognition.'
He says the 'time has come' and expressed confidence that others will follow suit and move their embassies to Jerusalem.
Last night, he hailed the move as 'historic' and said any peace deal with the Palestinians must concede that Jerusalem is Israel's capital.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it will be deploying additional troops to the West Bank ahead of Friday, when mass Palestinian protests are anticipated in response to Trump's move.
The army statement on Thursday says it will deploy several battalions to the territory while other troops have been put on alert to address 'possible developments.'
Palestinians went on strike across the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip on Thursday and protests are expected on Friday after midday prayers.
Iraq's Foreign Ministry has also summoned the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad to hand him a memo protesting against Trump's decision.
In Afghanistan, the Taliban denounced Trump's decision as a 'reckless step' and said it will 'fan the flames of conflict in the entire world especially the Middle East'.
A Taliban statement to the media on Thursday says that with the decision, America exposed its 'colonialist face and declared enmity toward Islam as well as support for policy of occupation and colonisation of Muslim lands.'
The statement also called on Muslims world over and Islamic countries to back the 'oppressed Palestinian nation'.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, meanwhile, says his government is 'deeply concerned' over Trump's move which 'hurts the sentiments of the entire Islamic world.'
US Embassies across much of the Middle East and parts of Africa have warned American citizens of possible protests as a result of Trump's decision.
The leaders of Muslim nations have deployed ever-harsher rhetoric to describe Trump's decision, dashing any hope of a muted response that would help avoid clashes. Turkey called the decision 'irresponsible' and illegal.
In a frantic series of calls, the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the European Union, France, Germany and Turkey had warned Trump against the move. Pope Francis joined a list of leaders warning of a historic misstep.
Chief Palestinian negotiator reacts to Trump's Jerusalem announcement
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