Washington, December 6 (RHC)-- U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the U.S. will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and initiate a process of moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. 

Political observers say that the move will upend decades of international peace efforts.  The announcement has already sparked a massive international backlash, with leaders of Britain, France, Iran, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, the Arab League and other nations all criticizing the move. 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned of “the dangerous consequences such a decision would have to the peace process and to the peace, security and stability of the region and of the world.”  Palestinians have called for “three days of rage” -- protests across the Israeli-occupied territories. 

Control of Jerusalem is one of the most contested issues between Israelis and Palestinians.  The Israeli military seized control of East Jerusalem in 1967 and has occupied the territory ever since.  Palestinians, however, have long seen Jerusalem as the capital of their future country. 

Since 1967, the U.N. Security Council and U.N. General Assembly have passed dozens of resolutions calling for Israel to end its occupation of East Jerusalem. 

Currently 86 nations have their embassies in Tel Aviv.  No country has an embassy in Jerusalem.