Donald Trump said he was casting aside the “failed strategies of the past” as he upended 70 years of US foreign policy and forged ahead with his controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The US president's move was condemned by Saudi Arabia, which described it as "unjustified and irresponsible".

The announcement from the White House was met with celebrations by Israel and immediate fury from the Palestinians, who accused him of destroying any hope of a peace deal.

“We cannot solve our problems by making the same failed assumptions and repeating the same failed strategies of the past,” Mr Trump said. “It is time to officially recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”

Defying warnings from around leaders around the world, Mr Trump said he “judged this course of action to be in the best interest of the US and the pursuit of peace between Israel and the Palestinians”.

He announced that America would become the only country in the world to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, making good on a campaign promise important to many evangelical Christian and right-wing Jewish voters.