Here’s some shocking news.
Every member of the United Nations Security Council has denounced President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. In a joint statement, the ambassadors from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, Italy, and France stated that Trump’s actions were “not in line with Security Council resolutions and was unhelpful in terms of prospect for peace in the region.”
The U.N.’s stance on Jerusalem is not surprising, given the fact that the security council rarely misses an opportunity to condemn the Jewish state. Nevertheless, they are wrong.
The U.N. Criticizes Trump’s Decision
The international community has not recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital because the Palestinian leadership has claimed parts of the city for the state they wish to form in the future. These nations fear that taking a stance for Israel when it comes to the holy city would cause more violence and become an obstacle to peace.
Eight of the fifteen nations in the Security Council called an emergency meeting after President Trump made his announcement regarding Jerusalem last Wednesday. Several world leaders excoriated the president’s decision, arguing that it threatened peace talks and a potential two-state solution.
Ambassador Olof Skoog of Sweden stated that “the statement by the United States president goes against the plea of many friends of the United States and Israel.” He wasn’t the only one.
The Egyptian ambassador said that Trump’s decision is “a dangerous precedent.” He added, “these are the resolutions of the Security Council.” He then stated that the United Nations’ resolutions are “the law that governs the status of Jerusalem. All countries have pledged, according to the U.N. charter, to implement and abide by it.”
U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley defended the president’s decision, arguing that Jerusalem has been Israel’s capital since its founding in 1948 “despite many attempts by others to deny that reality.”
The Security Council views East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in the Six-Day War in 1967, as occupied territory. They have argued that the status of this part of the city should be determined by negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, who want the city to become their capital.
Mass Protests In The Middle East
After the president made his announcement, terrorist group Hamas urged Palestinians to hold a “Day of Rage,” on Friday to protest the decision. 35 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were injured in clashes with the Israeli Defense Force (IDF).
IDF troops used tear gas and stun grenades against Palestinians who were throwing stones at them in Bethlehem. They also killed two members of Hamas in air strikes as a response to rocket attacks.
It is difficult to see this as an escalation of violence as the airstrikes and rocket attacks were already part of daily life for many in the region.
It Will Not Derail The Peace Process
Contrary to what Trump’s critics say, recognizing Jerusalem as the rightful capital of Israel will not impede the peace process. As a matter of fact, it could make it easier to forge a peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Up until now, the Palestinians have rebuffed Israel’s attempts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. Each time the Jewish state has made concessions, terrorist organizations like Hamas, the Palestinian Liberation Organization, And Islamic Jihad have responded with more violence.
Even when former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon pulled Israel out of the Gaza Strip in 2005 — evicting six thousand Israeli civilians — the Palestinians elected Hamas to rule over the region. It is clear that Palestinian leadership is not interested in peace — they are only focused on destroying Israel.
The West’s policy of pushing Israel to offer more land hasn’t worked for decades and isn’t working now. Perhaps it is time for a new approach, one that puts pressure on the Palestinians to put forth a sincere effort to create peace. Recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital sends the message that the United States stands with our ally. It demonstrates to Israel’s enemies that continued violence will not give them a positive outcome.
Trump’s critics argue that his decision will only result in more bloodshed. Indeed, the protests on Friday and Saturday seem to lend credibility to this claim. Hamas has already threatened more violence in the region.
Violence is Not an Acceptable Tactic
However, those who criticize Trump’s decision are missing an important fact: groups like Hamas will engage in violence regardless of the choice the U.S. makes because they do not want a peaceful solution. Perhaps if they had given up violence and committed to negotiating, their threats would carry more weight. Unfortunately, they have reacted to any overture Israel has made by carrying out terrorist attacks.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) isn’t much better. President Mahmoud Abbas has paid lip service to the West while secretly providing financial support to terrorists and their families.
Since the Palestinians have made it clear that no amount of appeasement will motivate them to seek peace, their threats are meaningless. Perhaps Trump’s decision will show them that they have nothing to gain by using terrorism to achieve their objectives.
This article was originally published at LibertyNation.com