DONALD Trump last night overturned decades of US policy by confirming that he is determined to see Jerusalem recognised as the capital of Israel.
The president claimed in a White House speech that the decision “marks the beginning of a new approach to conflict between Israel and the Palestinians” and said he has deemed the change to be in America's interests.
Trump also said he is putting in motion plans move the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.
World leaders have warned that the move could inflame tensions in the volatile Middle East. By recognising Israel's claim to Jerusalem, Trump is seen by the Palestinians as siding with Israel on the most sensitive issue in the conflict. The Palestinians seek east Jerusalem, which Israel captured in 1967, for their capital.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that his country was "profoundly grateful" to Trump, adding his announcement marks a "historic day" and is an "important step towards peace".
Netanyahu said Israel "will continue to work with the president and his team to make that dream of peace come true".
The head of Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, accused Trump of disregarding Palestinian feelings with his move. Ismail Haniyeh said in a statement that the Palestinian people "know how to respond properly to the disregard of their feelings and sanctuaries".
He said the decision "will not change the facts of history and geography".
Mahmoud Abbas, president of the State of Palestine and Palestinian National Authority, said Trump had destroyed his credibility as a Middle East peace broker, describing hsi announcement as "a declaration of withdrawal from the role it has played in the peace process".
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke out against what he said were "unilateral measures" that jeopardise the prospect for peace for Israelis and Palestinians.
He said the issue of Jerusalem must be resolved through direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Guterres told reporters that "in this moment of great anxiety, I want to make it clear: There is no alternative to the two-state solution. There is no Plan B."
He did not mentioned Trump's decision in his remarks.
Guterres said he would do "everything in my power" to promote the return to negotiations by Israeli and Palestinian leaders "and to realise this vision of a lasting peace for both people".
Abbas said the Palestinian leadership will meet in the coming days and consult with Arab leaders to formulate a response. Egypt, the first Arab nation to sign a peace treaty with Israel, in 1979, also denounced Trump's decision.
The statement said Egypt is worried about the impact of the US move on the stability of the region and about its "extremely negative" impact on the peace process.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here