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Members of Calgary’s pro-Palestinian and human rights activism community called on Ottawa to denounce last week’s move by U.S. President Donald Trump to formally recognize Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel, a move that counters 70 years of U.S. foreign policy and one organizers say retard progress on securing peace in the embattled area.

“It’s an outrageous decision,” said Riyaz Khawaja, one of Saturday’s events organizers. “Being a Canadian Muslim, we’ve always wanted a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian issue, but Mr. Trump has changed that.”

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Trump’s declaration — one that also included a promise to move the U.S. diplomatic mission in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem — breaks from a long-standing American policy of neutrality on the contentious issue.

Photo by Bryan Passifiume/Postmedia Network

“Donald Trump claims that he is doing a step towards step — an overdue step towards peace between Palestinians and Israelis,” said Maha Gul, addressing the Saturday afternoon rally.