Hamas Calls for ‘Intifada’ Should US Deem Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas called for a new “intifada” Saturday should U.S. President Donald Trump go ahead with his decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

RELATED: 
Trump ‘To Recognise Jerusalem as Israeli Capital’: Reports

“We warn against such a move and call on the Palestinian people to revive the intifada if these unjust decisions on Jerusalem are adopted,” the group said in a statement.

Calling the move a “U.S. assault on the city” that would legitimize Israeli control over it, the group added, "Any decision whatsoever would not change the fact that al-Quds (Jerusalem) is of Arab and Islamic identity, and is part of the Palestinian land."

The statement has come amid speculation that Trump will announce next week his recognition of Jerusalem as the new capital, in line with his campaign promise to transfer the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Hamas has affirmed that such a move constitutes a violation of international law and one that may serve as a cover to expunge Palestinians from the territory.

Other Palestinian groups have also spoken out against Trump’s possible decision.

RELATED: 
Italy Ejects Palestinian 'Freedom Fighter' Leila Khaled

“East al-Quds, with its holy places, is the beginning and the end of any solution and any project that saves the region from destruction,” Palestinian Presidential Spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said a day earlier.

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has also warned the United States against the transfer of its embassy, saying all U.S. embassies in the Arab world would have to close in the face of Arab outrage that would follow such an action.