Israeli forces kill Palestinian teen in occupied West Bank
Israeli forces kill Palestinian teen in occupied West Bank

Israeli military forces have shot dead a Palestinian teenage boy in the central part of the occupied West Bank during clashes in protest at US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel. The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced in a statement that 17-year-old Musab Firas al-Tamimi sustained serious gunshot wounds on Wednesday as dozens of […]

Israeli military forces have shot dead a Palestinian teenage boy in the central part of the occupied West Bank during clashes in protest at US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced in a statement that 17-year-old Musab Firas al-Tamimi sustained serious gunshot wounds on Wednesday as dozens of people staged a demonstration in Deir Nidham village, located approximately 23 kilometers (14 miles) northwest of Ramallah.

He succumbed to his wounds after he was taken to hospital by the Palestine Red Crescent Society medical staff.

On December 6, Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital and relocate the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to the occupied city.

The dramatic shift in Washington’s policy vis-à-vis the city triggered demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Morocco and other Muslim countries.

Palestinian protesters carry a wounded comrade during clashes with Israeli forces near the Gaza border east of the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Yunis on December 29, 2017. (Photo by AFP) 

On December 21, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution that calls on the US to withdraw its controversial recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israeli “capital.”

In an attempt to avert the resolution, Trump had warned that “we’re watching,” threatening reprisals against countries that backed the measure, which earlier faced a US veto at the UN Security Council.

Israel, however, rejected the world body’s resolution while thanking Trump for his decision to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds.

Jerusalem al-Quds remains at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Palestinians hoping that the eastern part of the city would eventually serve as the capital of a future independent Palestinian state.

In a series of tweets on Tuesday, Trump said the US pays “the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year” and yet gets “no appreciation or respect.”

Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli forces near the Gaza border east of the southern Gaza strip city of Khan Yunis on December 29, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

“But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?” he asked.

Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, stated on Wednesday that “Palestinians’ rights are not for sale. By recognizing occupied Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital, Donald Trump has not only violated international law, but has also singlehandedly destroyed the very foundations of peace and condoned Israel’s illegal annexation of the city.”

Ashrawi added, “We will not be blackmailed. President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice. Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible action!”