Twitter continues to react to Trump’s decision on Jerusalem

On 6 December 2017, Trump’s controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel sparked widespread media outrage; social media was flooded with outpourings of frustration and 100 days later Twitter bears witness that the announcement that stoked the flames of anger towards Israeli occupation, sees few signs of dying down.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh viewed the announcement as a “declaration of war” and called for “an intifada [uprising] against the occupier”.

The move provoked almost unanimous condemnation from world leaders who expressed concerns regarding its impact on regional stability and peace prospects.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he opposed “any unilateral measures that would jeopardise the prospect of peace for Israelis and Palestinians”.

President Emmanuel Macron declared that “France does not approve the US decision. France supports the two-state solution, Israel and Palestine, living in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States. We must prefer appeasement and dialogue.”

Sur Jérusalem, la France n'approuve pas la décision des États-Unis. La France soutient la solution de deux États, Israël et la Palestine, vivant en paix et en sécurité, avec Jérusalem comme capitale des deux États. Nous devons privilégier l’apaisement et le dialogue.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 6, 2017

Many highlighted the irony of Trump’s “pursuit for peace between the Israelis and Palestinians” when his decision only served to undermine the possibility of peace.

We are appalled but unsurprised about Trump's announcement about Jerusalem. He is calling for "peace" while charging dangerously towards the opposite.

— Jewish Voice for Peace (@jvplive) December 6, 2017

BDS South Africa stated that the move confirms Israel’s status as “a rogue and pariah state”.

Not exactly a good morning today.

Yesterday's announcement by President Donald Trump, who finds a soul mate in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that he will move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem solidifies the U.S status, along with Israel, as a rogue and pariah state. pic.twitter.com/kSUrS0p5yv

— #Africa4Palestine (@Africa4Pal) December 7, 2017

Journalist Mariam Barghouti depicted the issue as undermining the Palestinian right to self-determination and an embodiment of ongoing attempts to erode Palestinian identity.

Ya'll the issue to Trump declaring #Jerusalem the capital of Israel should not be the fear of reaction from Palestinians & Arab states,rather the fact that an international administration is once again ignoring Palestinian existence and right to self determination. #Palestine

— Mariam Barghouti مريم البرغوثي (@MariamBarghouti) December 6, 2017

The UN passed a resolution rejecting President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital with an overwhelming majority of countries condemning his decision.

128 countries voted in favor of the resolution rejecting President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, 9 voted against, 35 abstained.

How each country voted: pic.twitter.com/rXLi2CjBmQ

— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 21, 2017

Others highlighted the move as another manifestation of Israeli aggression and violation of international law. Journalist Dena Takruri tweeted how Trump’s decision stripped the US of its legitimacy as a power broker in the region.

The US is not an honest broker and never has been. Just look at the billions of dollars in military aid we annually give Israel, which regularly violates international law and human rights of Palestinians. Just look at the fact that Kushner helped fund illegal Israel settlements

— Dena Takruri (@Dena) December 6, 2017

Protests also erupted internationally denouncing Trump’s decision and in solidarity with Palestinians.

3 hours following #Trump announcement on #Jerusalem, protests now in:
1-Turkey 2-Jordan 3-West Bank 4-Gaza pic.twitter.com/1HsHyJdwHY

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) December 6, 2017

Palestinians shut off the lights illuminating the Dome of the Rock in the old city of Jerusalem in protest of Trump's announcement.

[Photo by @activestills] pic.twitter.com/HsUb3bQzUb

— BDS movement (@BDSmovement) December 7, 2017

Critics have regarded Trump’s announcement as confirmingUS bias against the Palestinians, claiming the move emboldened Israeli occupation forces to respond heavy-handedly to unarmed Palestinian protesters. Since the announcement, 33 Palestinians have been killed and 5,926have been left injured.

#Jerusalem today, protests being suppressed by Israeli occupation forces. pic.twitter.com/4ZJkZuxFN2

— Muhammad Smiry 🇵🇸 (@MuhammadSmiry) December 9, 2017

75 Palestinians have been injured today including 25 with live bullets in the clashes with the Israeli occupation forces on Gaza borders. pic.twitter.com/AtoXWYLJfv

— Muhammad Smiry 🇵🇸 (@MuhammadSmiry) December 9, 2017

The move also aroused sensitivities surrounding Jerusalem’s significance to Palestinians with trending hashtags such as #JerusalemistheCapitalofPalestine and #HandsoffJerusalembeing used to reject Israeli claims to the capital.

Jerusalem is, was & forever will be the eternal capital of Palestine & it's people, not the western proxy state of so-called "Israel". Colonizers have no right to expect peaceful resistance from the colonized. #HandsOffJerusalem #FreePalestine #Intifada ✊

— #RIPBassemMasri 🙏 (@Delo_Taylor) December 6, 2017

https://twitter.com/PalestiniaExist/status/970469593889189888

Although annexed by Israel following the Six Day War of 1967, East Jerusalem is internationally recognised as occupied territory.