A ‘day of rage’ today is expected to erupt in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza today after Donald Trump officially recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Violent demonstrations are anticipated as crowds leave mosques at about noon local time, after morning prayers.
Hundreds of extra police have been deployed while Israeli soldiers have had all leave cancelled in preparation for the unrest.
A ‘day of rage’ today is expected to erupt in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza today after Donald Trump officially recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. This was the scene as protests turned violent in Bethlehem on Thursday
Violent demonstrations are anticipated as crowds leave mosques at about noon local time, after morning prayers. Palestinians are pictured clashing with police in Bethlehem yesterday
The Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, called for a new ‘intifada’, or uprising, and three missiles were fired last night from the coastal territory into Israel.
Two fell short and the third caused no damage, the Israeli military said, and warplanes and tanks were scrambled in response, striking two sites used by Hamas terrorises in Gaza.
On the West Bank, the more moderate Palestinian Authority ordered a general strike.
Schools, universities and shops in Arab areas of Jerusalem were closed amid expectations that thousands of young people would take to the streets in anger today to battle soldiers and police.
This morning, French President Emmanuel Macron appealed for calm.
Speaking at a meeting to discuss Lebanon, Macron said Trump’s decision should not ‘add to the instability of the region. I’m issuing a call for calm and responsibility by everyone which is essential for the efforts we are undertaking here.’
It follows widespread unrest across the region yesterday with violence flaring at multiple points and angry demonstrators in Gaza burning Israeli and American flags and images of Mr Trump.
There was widespread unrest across the region yesterday with violence flaring at multiple points
In Bethlehem, on the West Bank, tear gas was fired to dispel rioters along streets decorated with Christmas lights.
On the outskirts of the Palestinian city of Ramallah yesterday, Israeli police fired tear gas and stun grenades at crowds of young men who were throwing stones and burning tyres.
Hundreds of Palestinians also gathered at the plaza outside the Damascus Gate entrance to Jerusalem’s Old City, chanting ‘Jerusalem is Arab, Jerusalem is Palestinian’, and ‘Trump, Trump, you will see, Palestine will be free’.
The demonstrators clashed frequently with police as officers attempted to clear them from the plaza.
Three Palestinians were arrested in Jerusalem and more than 100 injured elsewhere as concerns mounted that further unrest was planned for today after Friday prayers, traditionally a febrile time in the region.