Despite international condemnation of the U.S Embassy moving to Jerusalem, President Trump is expected to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announce the new location of the U.S embassy. No other country has their embassy in Jerusalem, and the international community does not consider Israel owners of the city. This move, referred to as "The kiss of death to the peace process" by BBC News, is met with much concern and anticipation for its implications. The city of Jerusalem is significant to many. The Old City has holy sites for Muslims, Christians and Jews, with many visitors of these faiths flooding to personal, sacred monuments. At a political level, Jerusalem is an essential factor in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Israel sees the city as it's capitol. After the modern state of Israel was set up in 1948, the Israeli parliament found their home in the west of the city. Later, in 1967 Six-Day-War, Israel captured East Jerusalem and, against international support, Israel annexed East Jerusalem. The UN Security Council Resolution 242, on November 22, 1967, "Called on Israel to withdraw its armed forces from territories occupied in the 1967 conflict," discrediting Israeli ownership of East Jerusalem. Palestinians want Jerusalem as their capitol. Before the Six Day War, the land was separated, and Palestinians saw the East side of Jerusalem as their territory, while Israel controlled the west. Part of the potential two-state solution aimed to help Israelis and Palestinians share the land equally, relies on the UN supported status for Jerusalem to remain separated between Israeli and Palestinian control. This solution would give Palestinians an individual state alongside the boundaries that existed before 1967. Since 1967, the UN has continued to consider any change in the status of Jerusalem as illegal, null and void, inadmissible and has called for the rescinding of any action taken to occupy East Jerusalem. As far as the international community is concerned, any legitimate changes in the status of Jerusalem can only come from a negotiated peace deal. This is why all countries with embassies in Israel are kept near or in Tel Aviv. However, President Trump is persistent on moving the United States Embassy to Jerusalem. While unclear about U.S intentions towards a one-state or two-state solution, saying he "likes the solution that both parties like," Trump's impending move will have implications on the ground of Israel and Palestine. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and other Arab leaders are concerned this move will have "disastrous consequences" for the "regions stability and any prospect of long-lasting peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians." The implications of this move, though it fulfills Trump's campaign promise, is already met with condemnation from Middle Eastern and Muslim communities, as well as U.S allies as Germany, Turkey, Iran, Syria, the EU, the UK, the UN, Pope Francis and the Arab League are already speaking out against this move. "Jerusalem is a red line for Muslims, we implore the US once again: You cannot take this step," Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. President Trump's decision on the United States’ behalf is unlike the nature of U.S historical mindset regarding the status of Jerusalem. President Jimmy Carter and The Carter Center efforts towards conflict resolution has been supportive of a two-state solution and considers occupation in Palestinian territories as "human right abuses." In 2008, President Bush expressed the vitality of protecting Israeli security while establishing a state for Palestinians, considering the latter "long overdue." "I share with these two leaders the vision of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security," Bush said in a public address in Jerusalem. President Obama reaffirmed the UN's 242 Resolution, calling for "a complete freeze on the building of settlements, constructed illegally by Israel on Palestinian territory." Later saying negotiations should lead to a two-state solution based on boundaries before 1967, giving both Israel and Palestinians clear and permanent borders. President Donald Trump is taking a different route in U.S politics today, one that will make it difficult for the U.S to be seen as a neutral part of the peace process for Israel and Palestine.
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AuthorKatie Elizabeth: Writer, Wonderer, Wanderer. ArchivesCategories |