Protests in Jordan over Trump's Jerusalem declaration

By Laith al-Junaidi

AMMAN, Jordan (AA) - A number of Jordanian cities witnessed angry protests Wednesday evening following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

A march from the Palestinian camp of Al-Buqaa northern in the capital Amman took place during which protesters chanted praise for Jerusalem and Palestine.

In the city of Maan in southern Jordan citizens took to the streets against the U.S. president’s move, according to local news websites.

Despite bad weather, a number of Palestinian camps such as Al-Wahdat and Hitin witnessed protests in Amman during the first hours after Trump’s declaration.

Jordan’s Islamic Movement called for a huge demonstration after Zuhr prayers [a prayer Muslims perform every day at a specified time after midday] in front of the Al-Husaini mosque in Amman.

On Wednesday, the U.S. president announced his decision -- despite widespread opposition across the Middle East -- to formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

From the Israeli occupation of Jerusalem in 1967 until 2000, Jerusalem’s Department of Islamic Endowments -- run by Jordan -- has been solely responsible for the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound -- the core reason behind the special position of Jerusalem for Muslims worldwide-- and for regulating visits to the site by non-Muslims.