Over a thousand Malaysian Muslims marched to the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on December 8 to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia is extremely concerned about the decision. Malaysia has reaffirmed that the the issue of Jerusalem is at the core of the Palestinian cause and requests that all member states of the United Nations not recognize any illegitimate changes to the pre-1967 borders.
To the protesters, recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel ignores the reality on the ground, endorses Israel’s repressive policies, violates Palestinian human right and contravenes international law. For these reasons, Malaysia joined the chorus of states urging the United States to reconsider its decision.
Samsul Said is a Malaysian freelance photojournalist.