Traditional United States allies are among a growing chorus condemning President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Saudi Arabia called it “unjustified and irresponsible,” while France and the United Kingdom said they did not support the decision.
But Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, hailed it as “a historic day,” the BBC reports.
President Trump’s move reversed decades of U.S policy.
The fate of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest issues between Israel and the Palestinians.
Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, denounced Trump’s move as “deplorable.”
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are expected to hold a day of strikes and protests on Thursday.
The United Nations Security Council is to discuss the issue on Friday after eight of the 15 nations called for an emergency session.
The Arab League is to meet on Saturday.
The U.S President said on Wednesday he had “judged this course of action to be in the best interests of the United States of America, and the pursuit of peace between Israel and the Palestinians.”
Trump said he was directing the U.S state department to begin preparations to move the U.S embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Despite warnings of regional unrest over any such move, the decision fulfils a campaign promise and appeals to Mr. Trump’s right-wing base.
“Today, I am delivering,” the U.S leader said.
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.”
He said the U.S still supported 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.
