The US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has resulted in an explosion of reactions in the streets and in political corridors. But perhaps the biggest response has been in the virtual world. Millions have turned to social media and digital platforms to express their support and position on Jerusalem. Hashtags such as #jerusalemcapitalofpalestine in English and Arabic have been trending for days.

Saed Karzoun, the founder and CEO of Taghyeer for Social Media and a Palestinian social media trainer in Ramallah, told Al-Monitor that the word “Jerusalem” in Arabic, with different adjectives to it, has been posted millions of times on individual social media profiles and other locations on digital outlets.

“What is positive today is that the digital revolution has allowed for a bottom-up revolt. The Jerusalem story came at the right time with so many young people around the world disgusted with the world order that the digital response has been so powerful,” he said.

Aroub Soubh, a Jordanian social media influencer and a former host of a popular children’s program on Jordan TV, told Al-Monitor that the Arab world has been engulfed by virtual attempts to express support for the Palestinians and to reject the US move. “Jerusalem in both English and Arabic has been trending in the Arab world more than any other term. Phrases like ‘Jerusalem the capital of Palestine’ or ‘the eternal capital of Palestine’ have been made popular, which has encouraged people in Jordan to call for the cancellation of the peace treaty and the gas deal with Israel.”