In spite of urgent warnings from a long list of world leaders, President Donald Trump says the United States now recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
He says he is ending a long-standing approach that has failed to advance the prospects for peace and that this marks the beginning of a new approach to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
Ahead of Trump's speech, Arab and Muslim leaders warned about the potential for violence and in Gaza, hundreds of Palestinian protesters burned American and Israeli flags.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls this a historic day and is calling on other countries to move their embassies to Jerusalem as well.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is speaking out against what he says are ``unilateral measures'' that jeopardize the prospect for peace for Israelis and Palestinians.
He's speaking after President Donald Trump's announcement that the United States now recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
But the U.N. leader says the issue of Jerusalem must be resolved through direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Guterres tells reporters that ``in this moment of great anxiety, I want to make it clear: there is no alternative to the two-state solution. There is no Plan B.''
The U.N. chief never mentioned Trump's decision in his remarks.
Guterres says he'll do ``everything in my power'' to promote the return to negotiations by Israeli and Palestinian leaders ``and to realize this vision of a lasting peace for both people.''
Meanwhile, the head of the Islamic militant group Hamas is accusing President Donald Trump of disregarding Palestinian feelings with his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Ismail Haniyeh says in a statement that the Palestinian people ``know how to respond properly to the disregard of their feelings and sanctuaries.''
He says the decision ``will not change the facts of history and geography.''
Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, is considered a terrorist group by Israel, the U.S. and other Western allies.