Major protests across Arab world following President Trump’s decision on Jerusalem

VIOLENT clashes have engulfed streets in the Arab world after Donald Trump’s controversial decision yesterday, dubbed “the kiss of death”.

Smoke billows from burning tyres as Palestinian demonstrators clash with Israeli troops during protests against a decision by US President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on December 7, 2017. Picture: AFP PHOTO / ABBAS MOMANI

VIOLENT clashes and protests have erupted across the Middle East following US President Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital this week.

Hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets in the West Bank and Gaza Strip with some throwing rocks, lighting fires and burning US and Israeli flags at the start of “three days of rage” promised in reaction to the historic decision.

On Thursday, rallies were held across the West Bank cities of Hebron, Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin and Bethlehem, as well as outside Jerusalem’s Old City.

Palestinians have called a general strike in preparation for more protests on Friday. Footage from the streets showed smoke from young protesters burning tires, flags and pictures of the US and Israeli leaders.

In Bethlehem, crowds were fired on with water cannons and tear gas ahead of upcoming Christmas celebrations. Shops and schools across the region were closed, with the Israeli army moving in extra troops to control the crowds.

A Palestinian protester wears a Guy Fawkes mask used by the anonymous movement during clashes with Israeli troops in Hebron. Picture: AFP PHOTO / HAZEM BADER

Smoke billows from burning tyres as Palestinian demonstrators clash with Israeli troops in Ramallah. Picture: in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on December 7, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / ABBAS MOMANI

A Palestinian demonstrator holds a sling shot as he runs past burning tyres in Ramallah. Picture: AFP PHOTO / ABBAS MOMANI

Palestinian protesters burn an effigy of US President Donald Trump in the West Bank city of Nablus. Picture: AFP PHOTO / Jaafar ASHTIYEH

The outrage follows President Trump’s decision to break with decades of US policy and recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. International support for a “two state solution” to the Middle East conflict had previously maintained the city should be a shared territory between Israeli’s and Palestinians.

The move angered US allies and much of the Arab world. Britain’s Foreign Minister Boris Johnson said the UK would not follow suit and the decision was “not helpful”.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he “disapproved” and France remains attached to “a solution of two states, Israeli and Palestinian, with Jerusalem as the capital for both of them.”

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was delighted with the news and said Mr Trump had “bound himself forever” to Jerusalem through his actions. He claimed other states would soon follow suit and move their embassies to Jerusalem.

The decision led to calls for “three days of rage” from the Palestinian side. Picture: AFP PHOTO / MOHAMMED ABED

President Trump’s decision has delighted Israelis and incensed many in the Arab world. Picture: AFP PHOTO / MOHAMMED ABED

Israeli troops have been deployed to keep protests under control. Picture: AFP PHOTO / ABBAS MOMANI

US President Donald Trump’s decision up-ends decades of US policy. Picture: AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB

Protesters wave Palestinian and Turkish flags in Istanbul. Picture: AFP PHOTO / YASIN AKGUL

However leaders across the Arab world slammed the decision as one that would ruin chances for peace and destroy the reputation of the US as an honest broker in the region.

The Palestine Liberation Organization boss Usam Zomlot said it would be the “kiss of death” for the two-state solution which has Jerusalem at its heart.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said his government is “deeply concerned” over Mr Trump’s move which “hurts the sentiments of the entire Islamic world”.

Hundreds of people also rallied in Pakistan in Islamabad, Karachi, Peshaward and Multan.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi warned of “dangerous consequences” for stability and said the US should back down from a decision which “helps terrorism.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it would create a “ring of fire” around the region and said Mr Trump was acting like a “blender” to stir up trouble without having anything to gain.

— With wires