Israel says instability up over Trump Jerusalem move

The number of attacks on Israel fell in 2017, but US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital has provoked greater instability, a security chief said Sunday.

"The level of terrorism has decreased this year with 54 attacks against 108 in 2016," said Nadav Argaman, head of the Shin Bet domestic security agency.

"The number of attacks thwarted has increased," he told a news conference.

But he said the situation had become "unstable... in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, after Trump's declaration".

Argaman said the calm prevailing before Trump's announcement on December 6 was "deceptive".

"In the coming period we will face many challenges, including calls and demonstrations in the streets launched by the Palestinian Authority" to protest against the US decision, said Argaman.

Twelve Palestinians have been killed since Trump's decision, which sparked almost daily protests in the Palestinian territories and clashes with Israeli forces. 

Israel regards Jerusalem as its "undivided" capital, a position nearly the entire world rejects saying its status should be determined in peace talks with the Palestinians.

Under international law East Jerusalem is considered occupied Palestinian territory.

Trump's move has been condemned worldwide and protests have taken place globally in the US, UK, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt, and Jordan.