Abbas says peaceful protests against U.S. decision on Jerusalem will go on

RAMALLAH, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Monday that "the peaceful struggle" against U.S. decision of recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will go on.

"The recent statements are trying to deny our history, but this is our country," Abbas said after receiving in Ramallah the heads of the Christian churches in Jerusalem, according to the official Palestinian News Agency (WAFA).

"We affirm the continuation of the Palestinian people's struggle using all peaceful means," said Abbas.

Abbas stressed that "the world and the international laws recognize East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine and that we will remain one hand to preserve and defend Jerusalem and the lands of Christians and Muslims."

He referred to "the coordination and constant communication with the Jordan regarding the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, especially Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Resurrection."

Meanwhile, Abbas Fatah Party's Revolutionary Council declared that Wednesday will be "a day of Palestinian Arab international anger" against the visit of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence to the region.

The Council stressed in a press statement "the need that all sectors in the Palestinian territories join the demonstrations, rallies and national events to reject the U.S. decision on Jerusalem."

U.S. President Donald Trump, breaking away from decades of U.S. policy of neutrality, announced on Dec. 6 to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

This move has enraged the Palestinians and other Muslims across the world. At least six Palestinians have been killed in violent clashes in the past weeks with Israeli security forces during protests against the U.S. move.

Israel took over East Jerusalem from Jordan in the 1967 war, and declared the whole city of Jerusalem as Israel's eternal capital. But the Palestinians insist East Jerusalem should be the capital of their future independent state. Enditem