Tunisians hit streets to protest US Jerusalem move

Thousands of Tunisians across the country took to the streets Thursday to protest the U.S. president’s controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

In Tunis, hundreds of students staged demonstrations, shouting pro-Palestine slogans and condemning the U.S. move.

"The people demand the liberation of Palestine," protesters chanted. "From Tunis to Jerusalem [Al-Quds], we all stand together".

“We condemn the U.S. decision,” student protester Wajdi Beltayyib told Anadolu Agency.

“We consider Jerusalem a red line," he added. “The holy city will always be Palestine’s capital.”

Beltayyib went on to urge the Tunisian government and parliament to step up support for the Palestinian people and cause in the international arena.

Pro-Palestine demonstrations were also seen Thursday in the Tunisian cities of Kairouan, Sfax, Sousse, Gafsa and Bizerte, among others.

Despite widespread international opposition, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

According to Trump, the U.S. State Department has already begun preparations for the relocation of Washington’s Israel embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The dramatic shift in U.S. policy triggered angry demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Algeria, Iraq and in other Muslim countries.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- now occupied by Israel -- might eventually serve as the capital of a Palestinian state.