Rumors are rife that US President Donald Trump will officially recognize a united Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel sometime this week, possibly in lieu of actually moving the US Embassy to the Holy City in the short term.

But the Palestinian leadership is warning that if Trump takes either of those steps, they will unleash a wave of terrorist violence that will affect the entire world.

"Any American declaration of recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel – if there is one – would mean total destruction of the peace process," senior Palestinian Authority advisor Mahmoud Al-Habbash told reporters on Saturday. "The whole world will pay a price for any change or harm to the political reality of Jerusalem."

It was pointed out that Al-Habbash issued the violent threat with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas standing at his side, meaning it is the official Palestinian Authority (PA) position.

Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip and with which the PA is trying to reconcile, was slightly less dramatic, though its threat was probably more legitimate.

"We warn against such a move and call on the Palestinian people to revive the intifada (terrorist uprising) if these unjust decisions on Jerusalem are adopted," Hamas said in a statement released to the press.

PHOTO: Palestinians protested against Trump and his support for Israel during the president's visit to the region in May 2017. (Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90)