Reports that US President Donald Trump will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel have received a wary response and warnings of a new Palestinian uprising. If the US happens to announce that it will move its embassy to Jerusalem that would amount to a trigger of a new conflict between Palestinians and Israelis. Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, called on Saturday for a new “intifada” if Washington recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel or moves its embassy to the disputed city. Since 1995, it has been US law that Washington’s embassy in Israel must be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, in line with Israeli government wishes. Trump has signed the waiver once after vowing to Jewish-American supporters that he would be the president to finally make the switch permanent.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 04, 2017 18:33 UTC