(Bloomberg) -- Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah called on all “resistance” groups in the region to come up with a unified strategy to confront the U.S. administration's recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Speaking via video link to thousands of protesters in Lebanon's capital, Beirut, Nasrallah urged fighters to “formulate a clear, unified strategy” and a “conclusive field plan” to take back Jerusalem. Hezbollah, which along with Iran and its ally Syria forms a so-called axis of resistance, will meet “all of its responsibilities in that regard,” he said.
Trump's decision last week, which included starting the process of moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, triggered anger across the Middle East. Jerusalem is holy to Muslims, Jews and Christians, but its recognition as Israel's capital was especially stinging for Palestinians who claim the eastern part of the city as the seat of government for their own future state.
Hamas, the militant group governing the Gaza Strip, has called for another intifada, or uprising, against Israel in response to Trump's move.
On Monday, protesters in the Hezbollah stronghold of southern Beirut shouted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” in one of the largest Arab protests since Trump's announcement. Hezbollah fought a 34-day war in Lebanon against Israel in 2006.
To contact the reporter on this story: Dana Khraiche in Beirut at dkhraiche@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alaa Shahine at asalha@bloomberg.net, Stuart Biggs, Mark Williams
©2017 Bloomberg L.P.
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