RAMALLAH, December 19, 2017 (WAFA) – The US veto of a draft resolution discussed at the United Nations Security Council rejecting President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital hit the front page headlines in Palestinian dailies on Tuesday.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida described the US veto as a “Zionist veto intended to strengthen chaos and extremism.”

President Mahmoud Abbas’ speech during a meeting for the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Ramallah in response to the US decision on Jerusalem veto also dominated the front page dailies.

Abbas was reported in al-Quds and al-Ayyam stating his rejection of US mediation in the peace process and announcing a series of measures to confront Trump’s step.

They added Abbas has signed 22 international agreements and treaties that strengthen the legal status of the Palestinian state on the global scale.

He was reported in al-Hayat al-Jadida stating that many actions should be taken to confront the US position.

He was also reported in al-Hayat al-Jadida stating that the US has adopted a Zionist approach and chosen not to be an honest broker in the peace process.

The dailies added Abbas is scheduled to arrive to Riyadh on Tuesday to discuss the US recognition of Jerusalem with Saudi monarch Salman bin Abdul-Aziz and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

President’s spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, was reported in the dailies stating that the US veto showcased that the US was isolated, “stands against international consensus and shows complete bias in favor of occupation and aggression.”

According to al-Ayyam, Fatah Revolutionary Council (FRC) has announced the formation of field committees to implement all of president Abbas’ decisions.

FRC was also reported in al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida describing the US administration as a key partner for the Israeli occupation in persecuting the Palestinian people.

According to al-Hayat al-Jadida, FRC called on Palestinians to take to the streets on a “day of rage” on Wednesday.

Furthermore, al-Ayyam spotlighted Abbas’ meeting with the heads of Christian churches in Jerusalem.

Referring to Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Abbas addressed heads of the churches saying: “This country is ours” and “we will remain united in defending Jerusalem.”

Foreign Minister Riyad Malki was reported in al-Hayat al-Jadida saying Palestinians would act within 48 hours to call for an extraordinary session for the UN General Assembly.

Al-Quds highlighted the Israeli cabinet’s decision not to return the bodies of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida added Israeli political leaders agreed to submit a draft resolution to the parliament mandating capital punishment for “terrorists.”

According to al-Quds, Israeli police have installed an advanced surveillance camera system in the area surrounding Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and Jerusalem’s Old City ahead of US Vice President Mike Pence’s visit.

However, according to al-Ayyam, Pence has postponed again his trip to Egypt and Israel until January.

Al-Quds and al-Ayyam added the EU has published a new report revealing that Israel has advanced 8,000 new settler units in the occupied Palestinian territories during the first half of 2017.

Al-Quds and al-Ayyam said Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes at several locations across the besieged Gaza Strip.

They added a number of Palestinians were injured and others suffocated as Israeli forces cracked down on demonstrations across the West Bank.

The dailies said Israel has allocated 250 million Israeli shekels ($70 million) for conducting extensive excavations under Jerusalem’s Old City.

K.F./M.K.