Protests erupt in the West Bank over Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel
DOZENS of protesters in the West Bank have been wounded amid demonstrations as Australians in Israel and Jordan are advised to be on high alert.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
PALESTINIAN officials say dozens of protesters have been wounded in a number of demonstrations in the West Bank.
Clashes broke out overnight between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters following US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Meanwhile, Australia is warning those travelling in the Middle East to be alert for violent protests.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade warned Australian travellers heading to Jordan, Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank there may be widespread protests over the move by the Trump administration.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop confirmed that Australia would be leaving its embassy in Tel Aviv.
“Large protests are likely, particularly after Friday prayers, and could result in violence. Avoid demonstrations and monitor the media about possible unrest,” DFAT advised.
The Palestinian Red Crescent says dozens of people have been wounded, mostly from tear gas inhalation.
It says six people were wounded by rubber bullets and one person from live fire. The Israeli military denies that live fire was used.
The Palestinian Health Ministry says the injuries are all minor.
The al-Qaeda-linked extremist group al-Shabab is urging Muslims to take up weapons in response to President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The group’s spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud says it calls “on all Muslims to raise arms and defend the blessed al-Aqsa from the Zionist occupiers supported by America, because what was taken by force can only be restored by force.”
His message was carried by the Somalia-based group’s news agency. Al-Shabab, the deadliest Islamic extremist group in Africa, calls the U.S. decision on Jerusalem as “evidence of an escalation in its aggression against Islam and Muslims.”
French President Emmanuel Macron says he disapproves of the Trump administration’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, calling it a “unilateral decision.”
He says the status of Jerusalem should be part of an international decision between Israel and the Palestinians. Macron spoke to reporters in Qatar on Thursday, during a one-day visit to the country.
Macron says: “I don’t share in this decision, and I disapprove.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says President Donald Trump “bound himself forever” to the history of Jerusalem by recognising the city as Israel’s capital.
Netanyahu says 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.
Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu says “God is weeping over Mr Trump’s inflammatory and discriminatory recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”
The 86-year-old former archbishop, a veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa, rarely makes public statements because of health problems.
His new statement says that “it is our responsibility to tell Mr. Trump that he is wrong.”
He added that “God does not discriminate” between people of various religions and that “those who claim divine rights for themselves to physical property on earth are false prophets.”
Originally published as Protests erupt in the West Bank over Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel
‘Hatred’: Major call a year after Hamas attack
One year on from the bloody October 7 attack by Hamas, the leader of Australia’s largest Jewish community organisation has revealed a frightening rise in antisemitic attacks.
‘20 years to life’: Bali’s harsh new tourism crackdown
New laws have come into effect in Indonesia that could see tourists behaving badly hit with severe prison sentences.