Thousands of Jordanians protest against Trump's declaration on Jerusalem

AMMAN, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Jordanians took to the streets across the country Friday to oppose U.S. President Donald Trump's decision of recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The largest demonstration was held in downtown Amman, where the protesters burned U.S. and Israeli flags, calling for severing ties with Israel and urging the Arab and Muslim world to take actions.

Waving Jordanian and Palestinian flags as well as pictures of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, the demonstrators chanted slogans against Israel and the United States.

One of the banners, depicting the U.S. and Israeli flags with the picture of Trump in the middle, read "Go to Hell Trump."

Representatives of different parties including the communist, leftist and Islamic parties also took part in the demonstration, while police forces were heavily deployed.

"This is a reckless and stupid decision by Trump who claims to be supporting peace... I do not know what peace he is talking about," Abdullah Hendi, a protester in downtown Amman, told Xinhua as he carried a banner that read "Jerusalem is ours."

Subhi Zannonenh, another demonstrator who came from Hai Nazzal with his friends to join the rally, said "How can the United States reward the occupying Zionists (Israelis) by giving them something that is not theirs?"

"We are ready to sacrifice ourselves. The United States is always biased for the Israelis and it does not want peace," said Zannonenh.

"We are here to tell our brotherly Palestinians they are not alone and we support them," he said.

Scores of demonstrators also protested in front of the U.S. Embassy in Amman, expressing their rejection to the U.S. move.

After Friday's prayers, protests also erupted in Zarqa, Ajloun, Irbid and other governorates to boycott the U.S. decision. Enditem