Massive Protests in Kashmir over Trump’s Jerusalem Announcement

 Massive Protests in Kashmir over Trump’s Jerusalem Announcement
By Qazi Wasif - December 8, 2017

Massive Protests in Kashmir have been reported over Trump’s Announcement of recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Condemnation has poured in from various Islamic and European nations as well.

Expressing displeasure over Donald Trump’s announcement of recognizing Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel, Massive Protests in Kashmir erupted on Friday as people expressed their anger against the US decision.

Despite restriction in the valley, hundreds of demonstrators held rallies and burned American and Isreali flags; President Trump’s posters were also burned. Protestors were chanting slogans, “Down with America” and “Down with Israel”. At some places, protests in Kashmir took a violent turn as the protestors clashed with security forces.

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Why Protests in Kashmir and not in Other Parts of India?

What are the reasons behind protests in Kashmir and not in any other state so far?  The main reason for Protests in Kashmir is because Kashmir valley is the only Muslim majority state in India, which has been a bone of contention between Hindu dominated India and Muslim dominated Pakistan.

All the political parties including Hurriyat Conference (the Separatists), National Conference and others smaller fractions have also condemned this decision. In a statement by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Muhammad Yasin Malik, “Jerusalem represents religious sentiments of about a billion Muslims living all over the world. This is our “Qibla E Awwal” and no Muslim can ever accept it as the capital of the Zionist state of Israel.

By taking this kind of ridiculous decision, US president Donald Trump is actually playing cunning politics against the Muslims.” added the local Kashmiri leaders. Not only did they condemn this move, they also urged people to hold peaceful protests in Kashmir after Friday Prayers owing to which Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest.

Condemnation came from all corners of the valley – be it a political party or a non-political party. National conferences President, Dr. Farooq Abdullah also condemned this move and said that India is obliged to oppose this move which has led to protests in Kashmir and major Islamic nations.

Protests in Kashmir and Islamic Nations

Meanwhile, protests and demonstrations broke out in various parts of the world, countries such as Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq and others Islamic nations. In Gaza itself, more than 100 protestors were injured during clashes with Israeli security forces.

Saudi Arabia called it “unjustified and irresponsible.” Not only countries in the Middle East but other countries also condemned this move. French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said their countries did not support the move.

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The Russian foreign ministry said US recognition risked “dangerous and uncontrollable consequences.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed “There is no alternative to the two-state solution.

While Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called for support from the UN Security Council and the Arab League, both of which will hold emergency sessions in the coming days.

As the world condemned the decision, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, hailed Trump’s recognition as “historic” and claimed other countries were in contact about following the US’s lead but was alone among regional leaders in praising the move.