Dec 18, 2016

the Embassy's effect on peace prospects

Ynet is reporting that a senior Palestinian official, Saeb Erekat, has warned that if Donald Trump goes through with his promise to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem it would destroy any prospect for peace..

I find it laughable that the Palestinian officials are talking about prospects for peace as if they are deep in negotiation. I find it laughable that they can warn that something, anything, might damage the prospects for peace. For the past 2+ years the Palestinians have refused to even come to the table and negotiate for peace, to talk to the Israelis. There is enough blame to go around, and I am not looking to assign blame, though the Palestinians have found every excuse to not come to the table, and while the Israelis have perhaps provided some of those excuses, the Israelis also made strong efforts at times to make strong gestures to persuade the Palestinians to talk.

If the Palestinians refuse to talk, there are no prospects for peace. If there are no prospects for peace, moving the embassy won't destroy those non-existent prospects.

Anyways, I have never understood why the US has not already moved the embassy to West Jerusalem, which is supposedly undisputed territory. Also, why not register US citizens born in West Jerusalem as having been born in Israel, but only mentioning Jerusalem in the birth certificate and passport. I understand avoiding dealing with the issue of East Jerusalem, but West Jerusalem? It seems the US policy puts questions on the entire Jerusalem, and not just on East Jerusalem. That being said, assuming Trump's plan, whether it happens or not, is to move the embassy to West Jerusalem, and I have heard that but don't know it to be the case, it should have no effect on "peace prospects", though we know it will be used as another excuse.




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3 comments:

  1. Well, of course. Its their equivalent of "If you don't I'm gonna hold my breath until I turn blue".

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