More protests held in Palestinian territories, elsewhere against Trump’s Quds policy

Protests continue in the Palestinian territories and elsewhere in the world against a US decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s “capital,” a day after the UN General Assembly voted resoundingly to dismiss Washington’s policy shift.

Palestinian protesters took to the streets following Friday prayers in the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip to voice their anger at the US and Israel.

In Bethlehem, the protest turned violent after Israeli police intervened and fired tear gas rubber bullets to disperse the demonstrators. A protester was injured by a rubber bullet.

More rallies are expected in the Palestinian territories as political factions Hamas, Fatah and Islamic Jihad have called for another “day of rage” against the US and Israel.

Palestinians, along with the entire world community, are angry at a decision on December 6 by US President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s “capital” and begin work for the relocation of Washington’s embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied city.

In Malaysia, Prime Minister Najib Razak and senior political figures joined thousands of people in a pro-Palestine protest rally.

“We are firm in our stand. We support the formation of a Palestine that is free and sovereign. We demand a Palestine with dignity and pride. We want East Jerusalem [al-Quds] as the capital of Palestine,” he said.

Among the participants were Razak’s predecessor, Mahatir Mohammad, and members of different political groups in Malaysia.

The Association of NextGen Christians of Malaysia also joined the Muslim protesters in a show of support for the Palestinian cause.

Prior to the event, the Christian group issued a statement and said, “Ancom is appalled by the recent decision of Trump to recognize Jerusalem [al-Quds] as the capital of Israel as well as to start the process of moving the US embassy there.”

“We view the decision as part of his political agenda and domestic political positioning and certainly not biblical,” it added.

Trump’s declaration on Jerusalem al-Quds has drawn angry reactions from the international community, including Washington and Tel Aviv’s close allies.

On Thursday, Malaysia joined voices with more than 120 countries at the UN General Assembly to say a resounding ‘Yes’ to a resolution, which urges the US to drop its recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s “capital.”

Viewed as a major diplomatic blow to the US and Israel on the world stage, the resolution was passed despite a threat by Trump to cut off financial aid to countries voting against his move.

Hours after the General Assembly’s vote, Jordanians held a demonstration to celebrate the diplomatic victory for Palestinians.

“The voting of today is very important and playing very important role not just because the free countries voted for the freedom of Palestine and for the justice, for the international justice,” said a participant.

The demonstrators also chanted pro-Palestine slogans, saying the vote shows the US president cannot “enslave” the world’s free nations.

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