Whole world is unanimous against the Trump’s move and think this move is disastrous for any hope of reviving fruitful talks. The status of the city is one of the pivotal issues of the region. The conflict is largely focused on Old City, which is home of the holy sites of all the three Abrahamic Religions—Islam, Christianity & Judaism. A fresh spell of violence had broke out between Palestinian and Israeli forces after US President, D J Trump’s decision, of shifting US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The move strengthens the claims made by Zionist powers, declaring Jerusalem capital of Israel, violating the policy of de facto neutrality of the Holy City. The decision violated the “Status Quo” of Holy City and escalated tension in the region, spearheading towards the ‘third intifada’. In a stream of tweets, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh called for a new Palestinian Intifada. Violent protests erupted in West Bank and Gaza. There is a steep escalation in tension from the day of announcement. Enraged Hams fighters fired rocket while Israeli forces retaliated with air strikes. The intifada has been called to never give up until US president would not regret and reverse his decision.
On Wednesday 6 December, US president Donald J Trump sparked this controversy when he reversed decades old US policy regarding the status of Holy City of Jerusalem. His announcement marked the beginning of a new approach to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, when he officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The decision invited the rage from the whole Muslim world. For Israel, it was a golden opportunity to grab. So, Netanyahu welcomes the decision whole heartedly. Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu went on twitter and hailed Trump’s decision in a pre-recorded video message, and called this move historic land mark. Israeli PM also made it clear, if there will be any peace deal with Palestine in future, Palestinian’s must have to accept Jerusalem as capital of Israel. The decision on one hand set ablaze the already battling region while on other hand it bolstered Zionist claims.
So far, Trump took the charge of US Presidential seat, instead of peace mediator’s role, US is playing a biased role, where Muslim have been subjected to humiliation, unreasonable dislike and fear (Islamophobia) and hate mongering against Muslims have got momentum. There is a paradigm shift in US’s foreign policy. The gift presented by Trump to his close ally Netanyahu was made in advance of any substantive talks; still it is unclear what Netanyahu would offer in return on negotiation table. The move is detrimental to the Middle East peace process. Therefore, in this regard eight members of UN Security Council called for an emergency meeting to discuss US’s move. Almost, USA was isolated on this controversial decision at UN. Nickolay Mladenov, the UN’s special coordinator for the Middle East peace process said, “Jerusalem is perhaps the most emotionally charged and difficult subject” among the final status issues in the conflict. Even America’s close allies Britain and France reacted differently at UN. According the “Guardian” Israeli’s close ally Czech Republic is not happy with the move while the “Time of Israeli” claimed, President of Czech Republic, Milos Zeman hailed Trump’s decision and said, “His country will soon shift embassy too”.
After this controversial declaration of shifting US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Hamas leader has called on the Palestinian people to rise up in a new intifada. Protests continue to smoulder across the Muslim world. Muslim feel, Trump’s decision is an open challenge to the Corpus Seperatum (Separate entity) status of the Holy City. Already, numerous UN resolutions have discussed the status of the Holy City but remains make or break of point in any final status talk. Third Directive of UN Resolution 181 of 1947 gave Jerusalem the status of Corpus Separatum and Palestine was partitioned into Jewish state and Arab state under same resolution, approved in November 1947. Israel was given 55% of land while Palestine was given 45% share; later Israel annexed east Jerusalem in the 1967 during Six Day Arab-Israel war and extended her territory to 78% of total. At the end of the day, Israel is growing and Palestine is shrinking. Now, it is obligation of all the Muslim countries to get united against the common enemy and defend the Holy Land, share the pain of their Muslim brothers whose wrecked ship have been caught in bloodthirsty waves of western winds and rekindle the idea of Unified Muslim World in their hearts.
Although Trump’s new approach, instead of bringing peace to the region appears poised to trigger the most destructive period in the history of the conflict. Hamas decries over the decision as a declaration of war. It also urged Palestinian to rise up and asked other Muslim nations to fight against the Zionist policies to defend the Holy Land. The decision is threat to the peace of world and the already battling regions which paves threat to the Middle East peace talks. EU also took the decision an alarming call which may engulf whole world in its rage. World leaders and policy makers are of common opinion on this decision and think this decision will open gates of hell. Trump’s decision is an open challenge to the two states UN Resolution of 1947 too. The unjustified and irresponsible decision of Trump had shacked Muslim as well non-Muslim communities of world, where they think it will increase the insurgency activities. Albeit, the decision is publically rebuked by all Muslim nations but the threat had been unleashed. The decision also heightened the fears of unrest and violence on the streets of Israel and Palestine.
Trump’s decision is the final nail in the coffin of the peace negotiation of Israel-Palestine. Now, the holy places of all the three Abrahamic Religions are under threat. The cowering approach of Muslim nation in negotiation process today, is one of the main reasons for which Muslims have been subjected to humiliation, torture, exile and mass murder. Today, Israeli media is reporting several countries have advised Israel’s foreign ministry that they, too, intend to move their embassies to Jerusalem in light of the announcement. The claim is an open lie. Regarding this illegitimate announcement, today world showed sympathy towards Muslims, if Muslims still won’t woke up from their deep slumber; this sympathy will turn into bitterness.
Sheikh Nissar (Post Graduate in Sciences from University of Kashmir) can be mailed at Sheikhnissar@Outlook.com
