Oversimplifying the PalestinianIsraeli conflict
THE decision by President Donald Trump to relocate the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, has caused very strong reactions in both Palestine and Israel. On the part of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Administrator of Palestine… the reaction was a measured statement that President Trump had made it more difficult for the US to mediate the conflict. In the Middle Eastern countries the reactions have been similar for countries friendly to the US like Jordan and more strident in countries that are perceived to be anti-US like Iran and even Turkey. In Israel it was received as an excellent decision. However there were other reactions from well meaning Israelis that the peace process has become more difficult without a credible US mediator. Yet, President Trump made a statement during his announcement of the US Embassy transfer, that none of the Palestinian-Israeli issues have been decided by the US in spite of the said transfer: Like territorial boundaries of both countries, a 2-state solution of what was known as Palestine and other issues.
The reality of the political stance of the Republican and Democratic parties, that are the major contenders of political power in the USA… is that the majority of the members of these parties are pro-Israel. The Trump decision does not change the reality; it even reinforces it.
For the radical “Islamists” who employ terrorist acts like ISIS to obtain their objectives, the transfer will be exploited to gain brainwashed followers. To refresh our minds regarding some of the difficult issues that have yet to be resolved in order to have peace in Palestine, let me cite some of them: 1. Two states existing in what was Palestine-Israel and Palestine. 2. What about the Palestinians who were driven away from their lands by the Jewish Israel army? The Palestinians demand their right to return including their descendants. Plus the return of their properties – lands, improvements, and their homes. 3. Suspension of building Israeli, settlements in the occupied West Bank; 4. Removal of the Jewish settlements and its turn over to the Palestinians; 5. For areas that my be ceded to Israel – just compensation must be paid to the Arab owners.6. Basic to all of the above is the withdrawal of all Israeli Army units and government agencies in the occupied West Bank. 7. Recognition by the Palestinians of Israel as a state and vice-versa.
How about the United Nations? The UN countries have made some move that if memory serves made Palestine a member of some UN agencies. How about membership in the UN? The above idea is only possible if the US does not veto the Palestinian application for membership in the UN.
In spite of the latest setback of the Palestinians, I believe that after the initial reaction from the Arabs, the Trump administration will do its best to come up with solutions that will be accepted by both Palestinians and Israelis.
It is also my thinking that when the peace agreement is signed settling the Palestinian problem, the number of terrorists and their attacks will be reduced. To me the issue that is hot and provokes anger from the Islamic people is the unresolved issue of Palestine.