JERUSALEM (AP) – Palestinians shuttered schools and shops and called for protests in West Bank towns on Thursday, in show of anger over President Donald Trump’s recognition of bitterly contested Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Trump’s dramatic break Wednesday with decades of U.S. policy on Jerusalem counters long-standing international assurances to the Palestinians that the fate of the city will be determined in negotiations. The Palestinians seek Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, captured by Israel in 1967, as a future capital.
Saudi Arabia’s royal court, led by King Salman and his powerful son, condemned the Trump administration’s decision in a rare public rebuke by the U.S. ally.
Saudi Arabia, a regional powerhouse that could help the White House push through a Middle East settlement, said Thursday the kingdom had already warned against this step and “continues to express its deep regret at the U.S. administration’s decision,” describing it “unjustified and irresponsible.”
Corker praises Jerusalem decision
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released a statement praising President Donald Trump after his decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”[Wednesday’s] announcement recognizes what has been true for almost 70 years, namely that Jerusalem is Israel’s seat of government,” Corker said. “On a bipartisan basis, Congress has repeatedly voted overwhelmingly to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and I applaud the president’s initiative in making this a reality. Maintaining a close working relationship with our regional partners and ensuring the security of our embassy personnel and facilities will be critical as the administration takes steps to operationalize this decision, and I look forward to working with them toward that end.”- Staff Report