Hamas chief says U.S. Jerusalem decision "turning point" in region

GAZA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chief of the Islamic Hamas movement Ismail Haniyeh said Thursday that U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is a "turning point" for the region.

"Trump's decision marks the end of a political phase and the beginning of a new phase, a turning point in the history of the Palestinian cause," he said.

The Hamas leader stressed "the integrity of Jerusalem instead of Eastern or Western Jerusalem, and that it would remain the capital of Palestine."

He urged Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to take serious steps in response to the U.S. announcement, adding "the position of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) must be clear."

Haniyeh called for a general Palestinian meeting to look into the consequences of Trump's decision on Jerusalem and urged the public to "launch an uprising."

Describing Trump's decision as "unjust" and "biased," he stressed that it was necessary to make decisions, formulate policies and develop strategies to "confront the new conspiracy against Jerusalem and the Palestinians."

Trump announced Wednesday his official recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and instructed to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that triggered wide criticism and concerns around the world.

Trump said in a televised speech that his decision is based on The Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, a public law of the United States passed by the 104th Congress on October 23, 1995. Enditem