PALESTINIAN workers staged a general strike today in protest at US Vice-President Mike Pence visiting occupied east Jerusalem.

Shops, banks, schools, government offices and businesses across the occupied territories were closed as Mr Pence offered prayers at the al-Buraq Wall — or Western Wall — in the Old City.

Israeli occupation forces responded by imposing draconian movement restrictions across the Old City, closing roads to the Palestinian Wadi Rababa and Wadi Hilweh districts.