KUALA LUMPUR: Thousands of people gathered in front of the United States embassy in Jalan Tun Razak here today to protest against the US government's move to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
People from all walks of life, including Palestinians and Malaysians regardless of political stands, religions and races started to gather in front the Tabung Haji building here about 1.45pm.
Leaders and supporters from Umno, Pas, Keadilan and non-governmental organisations were also present.
Leading Umno Youth was its chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who was there to hand over a memorandum to the US embassy about 2.30pm.
Khairy said the announcement made by US president Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital was unacceptable and illegal.
“Mr President, this is an illegal announcement.
"Jerusalem is an occupied territory. You must not even set foot in Jerusalem and make it the capital of israel... believe me, this is just the beginning,” he said.
Khairy said if the US continued to do so, they would witness the rise of the people in the world against the US.
“Respect international law. What you are doing is against international law, what you are doing is against humanity. Stop oppressing the Palestinians.”
“Mark my words, President Trump, we are not here for conflict but we want to make sure that even the most powerful man in the world respects international law.
"That you will not continue to dispossess the Palestinian people. That you will not continue to insult the feelings of not just Muslim, but people all over the world who want to see justice, want to see peace and want to see a safe and independent Palestinian nation,” he said in his speech here, after handing over the memorandum.
The memorandum voiced Umno Youth's strong condemnation of the Trump administration's announcement to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Secondly, it stated that the non-negotiable demand was made in solidarity with the international community including the United Nations and the governments of Turkey, France, as well as countries in the Middle East.
It also urged the United States to respect the United Nations Security Council Resolution 478 which condemned Israel's illegal occupation of Jerusalem.
The decision, it stated, would only aggravate the unfair treatment of the Palestinians in Jerusalem and would create further instability in the Middle East.
Prior to the handover of the memorandum, an argument ensued as supporters insisted on accompanying Khairy to the embassy's entrance.
However, a team from the police Light Strike Force formed a human barricade to prevent people from entering.
Hundreds of policemen were at the scene to exercise order.
The crowd was heard chanting “Down, down USA”, and “Solidarity for the Palestinians”.
Also seen were Umno Youth deputy chief Khairul Azwan Harun, Umno Sungai Besar chief Jamal Md Yunos and Pas Youth chief Khalil Abdul Hadi.
The crowd dispersed about 3pm without incident.