Israeli forces, Palestinians clash on Gaza border

Palestinian Muslims gathered at Damascus Gate, which is one of the eight main gates of the Old City of Jerusalem, at 1 p.m. on Friday after a joint mass at a nearby mosque. Hamas, who controls the Palestinian Gaza Strip, declared Friday a “day of rage” to make people rise up in an intifada as many Palestinian Muslims gather for a joint mass on the day.

After U.S. President Donald Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Wednesday, a sentiment is spreading fast among Muslims in Jerusalem that they have to protect their rights as they cannot trust the U.S.’s role as a mediator anymore.

“The position of Trump is basically an Israeli position. The Israelis have continuously said they want to pursue peace… but, on the ground, nothing happens,” said George Assad, a 43-year-old Christian Palestinian, on Thursday. “This is the final nail in the coffin of the peace process, of the two-state solution.”

There is also a concern that Israel’s oppressive control with the justified support has made Palestinians more difficult to live in Jerusalem. Most of Palestinians businesses in the Old City, East Jerusalem and the West Bank of the Jordan River are closed for the uprising and classes are suspended.

Min-Woo Park minwoo@donga.com