Palestinian Islamic Movement Hamas called on Thursday for new Palestinian Intifada in the wake of the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.
Hamas top leader Ismail Haniyeh called for Palestinians to launch protests from Friday and for Muslim countries to cut ties with the US.
Speaking at a televised news conference in Gaza City, he said: “We call on the Palestinian people to take to the streets on Friday to launch a new Intifada with a view to defending Jerusalem.”
The Hamas leader added: “We should call for and we should work on launching an intifada in the face of the Zionist enemy.”
He continued: “We affirm that Jerusalem is united, not Eastern or Western, and will remain the capital of Palestine, all of Palestine.”
Two previous Palestinian Intifadas, from 1987-93 and 2000-05, saw violent outbursts against occupying Israeli forces.
US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the relocation of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv despite widespread international opposition.
Jerusalem is the third holiest place for about 2 billion Muslims on earth. Israel occupied the western part of the city in 1948 and occupied the eastern part of it in 1967.
Ahead of his election last year, Trump repeatedly promised to relocate the US embassy to Jerusalem.
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