A top Palestinian official who led negotiations with Israel said Donald Trump’s move to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital “disqualified” America from participating in the peace process.

“Unfortunately, President Trump just destroyed any ability of a two-state” solution, in which Palestinians would receive a sovereign state as part of a peace accord, Saeb Erekat told reporters.

“I think President Trump tonight disqualified the United States of America to play any role in any peace process,” Mr Erekat said.

While many Israelis assert a right to the entirety of Jerusalem, the city is also home to Muslim holy sites and Palestinians have sought to lay claim to part of the city as part of a resolution of a long-running conflict with Israel. The United Nations and much of the international community believes Israel’s 1967 annexation of East Jerusalem to be unlawful.

In a speech announcing the move, Mr Trump called recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital “a long-overdue step to advance the peace process and to work towards a lasting agreement,” noting that the city already hosts the main institutions of Israeli government.

“Israel is a sovereign nation with the right like every other sovereign nation to determine its own capital,” Mr Trump said. “Acknowledging this as a fact is a necessary condition for achieving peace”.

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

But critics have warned that it could undermine efforts toward a peace deal by backing Israel’s claim to Jerusalem at the expense of Palestinian priorities.

In remarks ahead of Mr Trump’s expected announcement, the UN’s special coordinator for Middle East peace said Jerusalem’s status must be determined in negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians given the holy city’s importance to both.