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Dignity of Jerusalem

Both sides will have to play role

5 || risingbd.com

Published: 07:01, 10 December 2017   Update: 15:18, 26 July 2020
Both sides will have to play role

US President Donald Trump has done an irresponsible task by unilaterally recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This recognition cannot be acceptable in any way as Jerusalem is considered as the holy city to the people of three religions--Muslims, Christians and Jews and it is one of the ancient cities in the Middle East. His provocative and foolhardy decision will not only hamper the peace process in the Middle East but also trigger fresh unrest there.

International community including the United Nations has been trying to reach a two-state solution to the nearly seven-decades long Israeli-Palestinian conflict for long time. The most sensitive issue between the two conflicting states was that who will take over Jerusalem. An effort to reach a solution over the issue was stumbled again and again. But this time, US President Trump alone played a desperate and irresponsible role in recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, defying all previous attempts to reach a solution. We strongly condemn and protest the unilateral declaration made by the US president. Ultimately, this declaration triggered Middle East conflict and worldwide unrest.

The reality also shows the same. Violent protests took place in Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem and other cities soon after the Trump declaration.  Israeli security forces clashed with demonstrators in different areas including the Gaza valley. Strong protests were also held across the Middle East including Jordan, Tunisia and Turkey. Hizbullah along with Hamas called new Palestinian Intifada. Extremists groups threatened terrorist attack alongside protests and demonstrations.

Many states that support the US such as French, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia urged President Trump not to take this decision. But Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, paying no heed to anyone. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented that Trump threw the Middle East into a 'hearth' through this declaration. China also expressed deep concern over the declaration. Besides, Pope Francis also urged the US to uphold the dignity of Jerusalem according to the UN proposal.

In 1947, the United Nations planned to divide the Palestine, formerly ruled by the British, into three separate parts: Jewish state Israel, Arab state Palestine and Jerusalem. It was said that Jerusalem will be an internationally controlled city. Israel and the Arab States locked into a war in 1948 after the end of British rule. Israel occupied the western part of Jerusalem in this war and the east part of Jerusalem remained under the control of Palestine and Jordan. The entire Jerusalem went to the control of Israel during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War which lasted for six days. Israel had been trying to make the city as its capital since then. Even the country declared Jerusalem as its capital in 1980 and de facto, Tel Aviv still remains the capital of Jerusalem.

It was being said internationally since 1948 that no side has legal authority to declare Jerusalem as its own capital. Israel and Palestine will have to reach a solution in this regard based on consent from both sides. So far, all US governments have maintained the level. But Trump administration exceeded all in this regard. Establishing peace in this region is nearly impossible until the Middle East policy of the US is changed. 

Palestinians have legal right to obtain an independent state but it is not being possible due to unjust activities of Israel. It will not be possible to restore peace in the Middle East until Israel's unfair activities can be stopped. The Trump administration should reconsider his decision with an aim to establish peach in the Middle East and avoid further unrest and bloodshed there. We expect the US president would retreat from his unfair and unacceptable decision.


risingbd/Dhaka/Dec 10, 2017/Ali Nowsher/AI

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