Donald Trump is likely to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in a speech next Wednesday, according to reports.

Mr Trump is not the first president to promise the switch. But in following through, he would vindicate Israelis who believe they have a claim to the entirety Jerusalem — and could imperil an already elusive Middle East peace process. Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem in 1967 and the subsequent establishment of settlements is still considered illegal by the United Nations.

Palestinians assert a right to at least part of Jerusalem, which contains multiple holy sites revered by Muslims. Their struggle has implications across the Middle East, cited by activists, government leaders and extremists as a reason to oppose Israel, America and their allies.

Metal detectors removed from holy site by Israel authorities

Previewing the potential fallout, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina warned that a resolution of the conflict rested on East Jerusalem being recognised as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.

“East Jerusalem, with its holy places, is the beginning and the end of any solution and any project that saves the region from destruction,” he said in a statement that did not directly refer to Mr Trump or to America.

Administration officials told Reuters that Mr Trump was not expected to move America's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. For decades, presidents have signed waivers delaying that change, a requirement imposed in a 1995 bill.

Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Show all 12 1 /12 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict The fire in my heart is beyond my ribs. You left me beloved - Soliman Shaheen, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict Let me get enough of you, as I’m still hungry for your smile my son - Soliman Shaheen, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict They besiege me in my homeland so I flew to heaven - Rodaina Al Agha, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict And I am still facing the pain all by myself - Lama Shakshak, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict My brother, I watched you go while my heart was tearing - Helen Mo'amar, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict My new doll is lonely in the rubble - Ayah Sha'ath, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict When a soul hugs another soul they never split, even in death - Ismail Matar, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict Everyone is gone and I stayed alone to make the world witness the injustice done to me - Hamza Shaheen, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict The hand that carries the arms carries roses too - Madeeha Al Majayda, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict My eyes tell you about a dream that overcame the fence - Soliman Shaheen, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict A childhood caught in an unjust siege - Hadeel Quidh, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict All the details are torn after you - Hamza Shaheen, 17

In an interview with the Washington Post, Palestinian Legislative Council member Qais Abdul Karim said moving the embassy would derail efforts at a peace pact.

“The US will lose its status as a broker and declare itself as an ally to Israel,” Mr Karim told the Post. “It will be a complete catastrophe and perhaps a final end to the attempts by the U.S. administration to start a process”.

Over the course of his administration, Barack Obama’s relationship with conservative Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu became increasingly strained, in part because of Mr Obama’s opposition to continued Israel settlement-building. Mr Trump vowed to repair that breach.

But issues of Israeli activity in disputed territories persist. Earlier this week, a group of senators released a letter imploring Mr Netanyahu to halt the planned demolition of a Palestinian village and a Bedouin village in the West Bank.