Palestinians expel US delegation from Bethlehem

BETHLEHEM, Palestine (AA) - Palestinian activists on Tuesday expelled a U.S. delegation visiting the West Bank city of Bethlehem in protest of last month's U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, according to a Palestinian official.

Activists intercepted vehicles of a U.S. State Department delegation visiting the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and chanted slogans against U.S. policies toward the Palestinians, said Mohammed Lahham, a Revolutionary Council member of President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah group.

"Activists told the delegation that they were unwelcome in Bethlehem and expelled them from the city," he told Anadolu Agency.

There was no comment from U.S. authorities on the move.

The Palestinian territories have remained tense since Dec. 6, when U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, triggering a world outcry and protests in the occupied lands.

Since then, at least 19 Palestinians have been martyred in clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- occupied by Israel since 1967 -- might eventually serve as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.