KUALA LUMPUR: US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was nothing less than an act of bullying, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“Today, we have found an international bully. He finds someone who is weak and who can’t fight back against him,” the Pakatan Harapan chairman said at a protest in front of the US Embassy here on Friday.
Dr Mahathir, who is also Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, challenged Trump to bully other global superpowers, such as China.
“This is the world today, where the weak is bullied and oppressed by the strong. Where is justice?
“We all must be united and put an end to hostility against Muslims,” added the former premier after joining other leaders of the Pakatan coalition who led a crowd to protest the US decision on Jerusalem.
The protestors marched from the Tabung Haji building after performing their Friday prayers, chanting “hancur Zionist (crush the Zionists)” and “hidup Palestine (long live Palestine)”.
The protest, which began at 2pm, brought city traffic to a standstill along Jalan Tun Razak.
A group of police officers formed a human chain to control the crowd while the public were told to stay across the road from the embassy.
Among the other Opposition leaders present were Pribumi president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and vice-president Tian Chua, Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu, and DAP MP Liew Chin Tong.
“We have gathered here to show our anger towards the decision made by Trump,” said Muhyiddin.
“We want to send a clear message to not only to the US Embassy, but also to Washington," he added.
Also present were Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah and social activist Hishamuddin Rais.
“What Trump has done is an abomination to peace and security in the Middle East,” said Chin.
She also demanded the US Government reject the idea of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
“This is the opportunity for the US Government, the United Nations and the international community to unite and put an end to the long war and occupation of Palestinian territory,” she said.
A similar protest took place at the US Embassy a week ago, led by Umno and PAS.
Later, at a press conference, when asked if he would join another such rally to be led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak next week, Dr Mahathir said: “We have to see if it is being held sincerely for the people of Palestine.”
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