Israel uses force to disperse West Bank demonstrations

By Mehmet Nuri Ucar

JERUSALEM, Palestine (AA) - Israeli troops are using live ammunition and teargas to disperse Palestinian protests in different parts of the occupied West Bank and in East Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, according to Anadolu Agency correspondents at the scene.

Palestinians are protesting the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump -- announced on Wednesday -- to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The move triggered demonstrations on Thursday in the occupied Palestinian territories, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq and in some other Muslim countries.

Jerusalem remains at the core of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- now occupied by Israel -- might eventually serve as the capital of a future Palestinian state.