Palestine's Hamas denounces Pence's Jerusalem visit

Palestine's Hamas group on Sunday called for an official and popular rejection of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's visit to the region on Wednesday.

A member of the Hamas Political Bureau, Hussam Badran said in a written statement that Pence's visit "will be a challenge to our people."

Badran urged the Palestinian people "to ignite demonstrations and confrontations with the Israeli Forces at every possible place, especially around Jerusalem and Al Aqsa Mosque."

Pence is expected to visit the disputed "Al-Buraq Wall" in Jerusalem, an area Jews call the "Wailing Wall," claiming it was the site of two prominent Jewish temples in ancient times.

Muslims, meanwhile, regard it as part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which hosts Islam's third holiest site.

After the U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital on Dec.6, Palestinian officials including President Mahmoud Abbas canceled their meetings with Pence.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- now occupied by Israel -- might eventually serve as the capital of a Palestinian state.