Trump and Netanyaho Stand Isolated on Jerusalem

by Dr. Aslam Abdullah

The Muslim world leaders, the European Union and the United Nations have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and called it dangerous for world stability and peace.

As aptly described by diplomatic circles Trump has legitimized occupation, endorsed religious bigotry and celebrated injustice.

France rejected the “unilateral” decision. Britain said it would hurt peace efforts.

Israel applauded the endorsement of its continuous occupation and called Jerusalem the eternal capital of Jews. 

Trump’s decision is in defiance of world opinion. Jerusalem is holy to the Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths. Israel annexed it in 1967, a move not recognized internationally.

Palestinians call Jerusalem as the eternal capital of the State of Palestine. Hamas described Trump move a “flagrant aggression against the Palestinian people.” It urged Arabs and Muslims to “undermine U.S. interests in the region” and to shun Israel.

Even the strongest US ally in the region, Saudi Arabia that recently bought US weapons worth billions of dollars expressed deep sorrow at Trump’s decision and warned of “dangerous consequences of moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem”.

Egypt ridiculed Trump’s decision and said it did not change Jerusalem’s disputed legal status. Jordan described Trump’s action was legally null.

Lebanon described the decision as dangerous, that threatened the credibility of the United States as a broker of Middle East peace.

Qatar called it a “death sentence for all who seek peace” and “a dangerous escalation”.

Turkey described the move as “irresponsible” and called upon the U.S. Administration to reconsider this faulty decision, which may result in highly negative outcomes and to avoid un-calculated steps that will harm the multicultural identity and historical status of Jerusalem.

Iran condemned Trump’s move and called it a violation of U.N. resolutions on the Israel-Palestinian conflict, state media reported. Indonesia and Malaysia denounced Trump’s action and described it a threat to global security and stability.

The U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there was no alternative to a two-state solution and Jerusalem was a final-status matter only to be settled through direct talks.

“I have consistently spoken out against a unilateral measures that would jeopardize the prospect of peace for Israelis and Palestinians,” Guterres said. “I will do everything in my power to support the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to return to meaningful negotiations.”