Hamas calls 'day of rage' over Trump Jerusalem-embassy move

Palestinian political and militant group Hamas has called on the Palestinian people and factions to "turn the coming Friday into a day of rage against the Israeli occupation, in rejection of the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem and recognising it as the capital of Israel".

In a statement, Hamas called on Palestinians to head to occupation checkpoints and outposts after Friday prayers throughout Palestine to "deliver the voice of the Palestinian people and a warning that any assault on Jerusalem will lead to an explosion and confrontation with the occupation."

Hamas, whose name is an Arabic acronym for the Islamic Resistance Movement, called on "Palestinian youths and freedom fighters" in the West Bank to respond to the US decision, which it said targets "Our Jerusalem" with all available means.

"Hamas is a red line, and our people's resistance will not accept any assault on it no matter the cost," the statemend ended.

Other Palestinian political factions called for daily protest marches this week, starting on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump informed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a phone call Tuesday that he intends to move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a holy city whose Israeli-annexed eastern sector the Palestinians seek as a future capital.

Abbas’ office said the Palestinian leader warned Trump of dangerous repercussions for Mideast peace efforts, as well as security and stability in the region and the world.
The statement did not say if Trump gave a timeline for the intended move.

US officials familiar with planning for a possible announcement on Jerusalem said they expect Trump to speak to the matter around midday Wednesday, although the specifics of what he will say were still being debated.

East Jerusalem, now home to more than 300,000 Palestinians, was captured by Israel in 1967 and then annexed to its capital, a move most of the international community has not recognised.

Palestinians seek east Jerusalem as a future capital. Israel’s current government, unlike its predecessors, rejects the idea of partition of the city. Under international consensus and long-standing US policy, the fate of the city is to be determined in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

Trump recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital would upend Washington’s traditional approach to the conflict. It was not immediately clear what Trump could hope to gain from such a step, while downsides include alienating crucial Arab allies, from Saudi Arabia to Jordan.