The U.S. Embassy Move – A Storm in a Teacup
Since U.S. President Trump announced his intention to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, we have been inundated with a flood of denunciations and condemnations from all representatives of the Arab and Palestinian political spectrum. Despite President Trump referring the matter to the relevant American ministries and agencies to study the feasibility and mechanism of implementing the decision, after initially portraying to the world that his decision was final, irreversible, and unamendable—this in itself being indicative of the populist nature of Trump's rhetoric—the flood of denunciations and threats of unprecedented mass uprisings in the region has not ceased.
The pertinent question in this context is: How do Palestinian and Arab politicians deal with this daily political event? And what is the degree of credibility and professionalism in their engagement and performance?
Personally, I fully understand the cries of denunciation and condemnation launched by hundreds of Arab and Palestinian politicians immediately after Trump signed the decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem. My understanding of this reaction stems from several factors:
First, the centrality of the city of Jerusalem in the Zionist-Palestinian conflict and the Zionist challenge to the world and international law, including the Geneva Convention, by annexing Jerusalem in 1980 and making it the 'eternal capital' of Israel as wished by the extremist religious current.
Second, the unique position of Jerusalem with its Islamic religious landmarks, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, among Muslims worldwide.
When I followed the reactions to the announcement of the US embassy move to Jerusalem, many questions initially came to mind, and the doubts about the positions of many politicians increased day by day. After scrutinizing the matter, researching archives, and reflecting broadly on all related to the Jerusalem issue, it became clear to me that politicians' statements and condemnations of Trump's idea, despite my understanding and support of such condemnation, do not go beyond the framework of 'political duty' and the expected reaction that audiences want to hear to feel appeased.
The official Palestinian and Arab reactions to the intention to move the US embassy to Jerusalem are 'venting' and an outlet for pent-up anger in the hearts of the masses, and these political statements and waves of anger on TV screens have no relation to the political reality on the ground.
The situation speaks truths we must face and consider when it comes to Jerusalem and its future, and we must keep these truths in mind when we see crocodile tears shed by Arab and Palestinian politicians and hear the wails of Muslims over the fate of 'Al-Quds Al-Sharif'.
The decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem was not made by Trump but is a legal decision issued by the US Congress on November 8, 1995, demanding the US president take necessary steps to move the embassy to Jerusalem, which the decision considered Israel's eternal capital. The law allows the president to delay implementation for six months. Previous presidents signed executive orders delaying the move, with Obama's last order in November 2016 effective until April 2017. The bitter truth is that everyone treats Trump's statements as if they are new, unheard before... When you see Arab and Palestinian politicians who remained silent about this US decision for over twenty years suddenly taking platforms to threaten an explosion if America moves the embassy, the magnitude of political deceit and populism becomes clear. Archives show only timid comments from Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims on the 1995 law. At that time, the peace commodity was popular and openly traded on TV, leaving no room for realistic strategic political discourse about land and people. Today's loudest voices are those who remained silent about this law for two decades and did nothing to support Jerusalem's people's struggle and steadfastness.
In the end, I must be honest with you and say that I hope everyone is right: yes, the Zionist is right in wishing that the United States would move its embassy to Jerusalem, and yes, the world should witness that what Trump says, he does. And yes, the Arab and Palestinian politicians who shouted, condemned, and pledged are right that the region will see a popular explosion unlike any it has seen in its history. Let us see how these decaying Arab regimes will stand against the wrath of the masses, who among them will endure this overwhelming anger, and who among them will find themselves thrown into the dustbin of history.
