RAMALLAH, January 21, 2017 (WAFA) – The inauguration of Donald Trump as president of the United States hit the front page headlines in the Palestinian dailies on Saturday.

The three dailies highlighted statements from Trump’s inauguration speech in which he vowed to “unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism” and that every US decision would be guided by a vision that puts “America first.”

Highlighting official Palestinian reaction, the three dailies said President Mahmoud Abbas congratulated Trump and expressed readiness to work with him to achieve peace.

Highlighting official Israeli reaction, the dailies reported Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as stating he was looking forward “to make the alliance between Israel and the US stronger than ever.”

The dailies also covered international and Palestinian reactions to the possible relocation of the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Al-Quds reported Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher Sheikh Ikrima Sabri as warning that moving the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is tantamount to a “declaration of war” and urging Muslims to shoulder their responsibility if Trump goes on with this move.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida also reported the Mufti of Jerusalem Sheikh Muhammad Hussein as warning against the “serious repercussions” of moving the US embassy to Jerusalem.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida also reported Abbas as stating: “Jerusalem will remain the capital of the State of Palestine.”

Al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida reported Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov as announcing that Trump’s plan to relocate the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem would “create a significant challenge for security in the region.”

Al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida added that Israeli security services have presented Netanyahu with a series of scenarios about potential Palestinian unrest should the US embassy in Israel be relocated to Jerusalem.

Highlighting weekly Friday marches across the West Bank, al-Quds said Israeli forces quelled weekly peaceful protests, particularly in the Ramallah village of Bilin and the Qalqiliya village of Kufr Qaddoum.

It is worth noting that demonstrations were organized in solidarity with the Arab Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran, which was violently stormed by Israeli forces last week leaving a local teacher dead before demolishing 14 homes.

Demonstrators also protested Trump’s support for relocating the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

The dailies also reported that Israeli forces stormed and demolished Bab al-Shams village that was set up by dozens of Palestinian activists on Palestinian land opposite to the Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Adumim., east of Jerusalem.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida and al-Ayyam added that Israeli forces detained six activists at the scene involved in setting up the village.

Al-Ayyam added a Palestinian journalist received a “walking” ticket from Israeli police after they ordered journalists not to cover the demolition.

Moreover, al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida said dozens of Palestinians in Israel protested against the recent spate of demolitions in the Palestinian villages of Umm al-Hiran and Qalansawa.

Al-Quds said thousands of protestors performed Friday prayers on the rubble of demolished homes in Umm al-Hiran in the Naqab.

Al-Quds said Israeli police are still withholding the body of Yacoub Abu al-Qeean, a math teacher and Palestinian citizen of Israel who was shot dead by Israeli police during the demolition of the Umm al-Hiran village.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida said an autopsy on Abu al-Qeean refuted Israeli claims that he intentionally rammed his truck into a police officer, killing him but that he was shot at first by the police and hit in the foot causing him to step on the gas and hit the officers.

Al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida said Israeli navy shot and injured a Palestinian fisherman off the coast of the northern Gaza Strip.

They added a Palestinian child was injured after being hit by an Israeli bullet in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip after Israeli forces opened live fire at homes in the area.

Al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida said former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has called off a visit to Belgium following a court order to arrest her over war crimes in Gaza.

K.F. /M.K.