PALESTINIANS are burning pictures of Donald Trump in Bethlehem ahead of a speech in which he is expected to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

World leaders and officials including British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson have warned the move could spark further violence, jeopardise the Middle East peace process and anger Arab allies.

7 Palestinians are burning pictures of Donald Trump in Bethlehem Credit: Reuters

Pope Francis defended the "status quo" of the city hours before Trump's speech, saying: "Jerusalem is a unique city, sacred for Jews, Christians and Muslims.

"I pray to God that this identity is preserved and reinforced, for the sake of the Holy Land, the Middle East and the whole world, and that wisdom and prudence prevail."

Palestinian terror group Hamas has threatened a "day of rage" on Friday in response to the announcement, releasing a chilling message ordering Palestinians to rise up and send a message to Israel.

Israel annexed eastern Jerusalem after winning the Six Day War with Jordan in 1967 but the move was not recognised by the United Nations.

Israel regards it as its capital while Palestinian sees the eastern half of the city as the centre of its 'future state'.

7 Palestinian terror group Hamas has threatened a 'day of rage' on Friday ahead of Trump's speech Credit: Getty - Contributor

Trump is also expected to order the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem but this move could take several years to push through.

The United States would become the first country to make the distinction since Israel was created in 1948.

The city has been at the heart of constant and violent conflicts between the nations because it is home to key religious sites holy to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Trump's move could not only undermine the US administration's fledgling effort, led by his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, but anger the wider international community.

In recent days, the European Union, Germany and France have all implored Trump not to take action on Jerusalem.

7 Israel annexed eastern Jerusalem after winning the Six Day War with Jordan in 1967

7 Israel regards it as its capital while Palestinian sees the eastern half of the city as the centre of its 'future state' Credit: Reuters

7 Donald Trump is expected to officially recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital later today Credit: EPA

While the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation said changing Jerusalem's status would amount to "naked aggression" against the Arab and Muslim world.

The head of the Arab League said it would be a "dangerous measure that would have repercussions" across the entire Middle East.

But it would help satisfy the pro-Israel, right-wing base that helped Trump win the presidency and also please the Israeli government, a close US ally.

A senior official said on condition of anonymity that the decision was not final and could still change.

Donald Trump and Melania visit Western Wall in Jerusalem, Israel

7 Much of the tension between Israel and Palestine over the last 20 years has been connected to tensions in the holy city Credit: Getty - Contributor

Israeli security officials say they are monitoring the situation and prepared for all scenarios.

Both Israel and Palestinians also maintain discrete security ties in the West Bank that have helped prevent violence from escalating in recent years.

Much of the violence between Israel and the Palestinians in Jerusalem and the West Bank over the past 20 years has been connected to tensions in the holy city.

The city experienced deadly riots in 1996 after Israel opened a new tunnel in the Old City.

7 Both Israel and Palestinians also maintain discrete security ties in the West Bank (nearby Gaza, pictured) Credit: AFP or licensors

The second Palestinian uprising erupted in 2000 after then-opposition leader Ariel Sharon visited the Temple Mount.

More recently, the city experienced a wave of Palestinian stabbings in late 2015 in part because of growing numbers of visits by Jewish nationalists to the Temple Mount, and last summer, the city again experienced weeks of unrest when Israel tried to install security cameras next to the Al Aqsa Mosque after a Palestinian gunman killed two Israeli police officers.

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An official spokesperson with the White House National Security Council said: “We've nothing to announce.”

But he is still expected to again delay his campaign promise to move the US embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, according to two administration officials.

After months of intense White House deliberations, Trump is looking to strike a balance over the status of Jerusalem, one of the most sensitive issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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