The Palestinian education ministry announced a general strike on Thursday to protest the U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The ministry said in a statement that the strike dovetails similar moves announced across the occupied Palestinian territories shortly after Trump’s decision was formally read out.
The ministry called on teachers and students to take part in expected mass demonstrations and marches in the West Bank Occupied Jerusalem and the blockaded Gaza Strip.
In a speech in Washington Trump said he had decided to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the U.S. embassy to the city. Arabs and Muslims across the Middle East condemned the U.S. decision calling it an incendiary move and one that will fuel conflict and increase violence in the entire region.
By recognizing Israel’s claim to Jerusalem Trump is siding with Israel on the most sensitive issue in the conflict.
International news outlets said Trump’s “deplorable and unacceptable” move signified America’s withdrawal as a sponsor of the peace process.
Thousands rallied Wednesday across Palestine and the world against the announcement burning U.S. and Israeli flags as well as pictures of Trump and Netanyahu.
The Hamas resistance group warned that Trump had opened “the gates of hell on US interests in the region.”
