By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – –
Ayat Ahmad reports for Elbalad (Beirut, liberal) that Friday saw huge, angry demonstrations against the United States in the Palestinian West Bank, Jordan, Yemen, Tunisia, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia and elsewhere in protest of Trump’s announcement recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
AFP starts in Beirut but goes on to give us great footage of protests in places like Mogadishu and Tehran.
This AFP slide show is also revealing. The demonstrations against the US in Iraq and Afghanistan, of course, could threaten US troops stationed in those countries:
Protest against Trump Jerusalem move in Lebanon, Afghanistan India, Pakistan, Syria, Iraq
? @IChalhoub @kohsar @TauseefMUSTAFA & Banaras Khan & Louai Beshara & Ahmed Alrubaye pic.twitter.com/BwX4NUNZip
— Frédérique Geffard (@fgeffardAFP) December 8, 2017
In the West Bank, a general strike was called, including in schools, and Palestinian politicians called for wide participation in marches.
In the little town of Palestinian Bethlehem, Israeli troops forcibly cleared the streets, as AFP reported:
The biggest crowds came out in Gaza, raising the credibility of Hamas. CBC reports on the Palestinian protests:
CBC The National: “Trump’s decision on Jerusalem prompts airstrikes and protests”
In beleagured Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, Iran’s Press TV reports the population came out in force despite Saudi bombing.
Virtually every major Turkish city–Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, etc.– saw huge rallies against the United States. Turkey is a NATO ally.
Huge protest in Turkey’s Istanbul, today against Trump's #Jerusalem decision.
#القدس_عاصمة_فلسطين_الابدية
#القدس pic.twitter.com/PNYhBs4ZIQ— محمد الحسين (@Mohamad_Husayn) December 8, 2017
This is not to mention the demonstrations in Berlin, London and elsewhere in Europe.
The US had already fallen dramatically in popularity around the world as soon as Trump was elected, and he’s done nothing to reverse the free fall.
The US needs allies to bolster its security in the world. It is not clear it will have any left by 2020.
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