Israeli Palestine conflict has come to fore due to America recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital.
In the article we will look at the roots of the conflict and progress towards that present status of Jerusalem and conclude with the causes and consequences of the American recognition.
The 1947 United Nations General Assembly plan proposed a two state solution to the Middle East crisis. It proposed to partition the British Mandate Palestine into Arab Palestine and Jewish Israel. While Jewish leaders accepted the plan, Arab leaders rejected this proposal.
Ever since the 1917 Balfour declaration and the 1920 creation of British mandate Palestine tensions have been high is the region. After the British withdrawal in 1947, Jewish leaders proclaimed statehood for Israel. The unilateral proclamation of state hood led to war between Israel and the Arab coalition forces.
In the 1948 war, Israel along with West Jerusalem captured 23% more territories than what the United Nations plans had proposed. East Jerusalem and West Bank fell under the control of Jordan. Sinai Peninsula and Gaza strip were captured by Egypt.
Arab and Israeli forces again clashed for third time in 1967. The Israeli victory was over helming. Israel drove back Syrian forces from the Golan Heights and took control of Gaza strip and Sinai Peninsula from Egypt and drove back Jordanian forces from West Bank. Israel also took control East Jerusalem which it subsequently annexed. East Jerusalem comprised of predominantly Palestinians, who have been denied voting rights by Israel.
In 1980, the Israeli right declared that a complete and united Jerusalem would be their capital. United Nations Security Council passed a resolution declaring the law ‘null and void’ and instructed the 13 nations who had their embassies in Jerusalem to shift their embassies to Tel Aviv.
02:24 Jerusalem has been at the heart of the Israel–Palestine peace process. The 1947 UNGA plan had proposed Jerusalem an unique status of internationally administered city. Israeli right has claimed Jerusalem entirely, stating that it has been the capital of Jewish people for 3000 years and Israel for 70 years. Palestine views West Jerusalem as its future capital. Though Jerusalem has been the seat of Israeli government from 80’s all the embassies are still located in the commercial capital Tel Aviv.
The current crisis stems from unilateral American recognition of Jerusalem. America has always been pro-Israel. It looked the other way when Israel acquired nuclear technology and has come to Israel’s rescue in the Security Council. America has also provided Israel with advanced weaponry .in return, Israel has been a strong ally of US in west Asia and played an important role in the region.
US congress in 1995 passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act insisting that US relocate its Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The act also provided a provision to postpone the shift for six months to secure national security interests. Since then, US presidents have perpetually postponed the recognition given the legal, ethical and political implications of the recognitions.
Donald trump, whose core electoral base comprises Evangelical groups and pro-Israel lobbies had during his election campaign promised to shift the American embassy to Jerusalem. Post election as president Trump had to sign the postponement is June due to compelling circumstances. In December, he has recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Tough a timeline for the relocation of the embassy has not been proposed the move has endorsed Israeli occupation and undermined the peace process.
Israel which has already been pushing through illegal settlements will be further emboldened by American endorsement. Above all the hopes of millions of Palestinians who have been living under Israeli oppression has been permanently dashed.
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