We shall not address the rights and wrongs of moving the American Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. That’s because on the level of principle there are no wrongs, only rights. Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. Just as the other American embassies are in the host nation’s capital, the same applies to Israel. Israel will never cede sovereignty over West Jerualem, whatever the fate of East Jerusalem. In principle, it’s an open-shut case.
On the level of pragmatism: If the Trump administration moves the American embassy to Jerusalem, ex-President Obama (and all ex-presidents going back to Bill Clinton) say: Expect violence. A total end to prospects for peace — ever.
This is certainly a possibility.
But there is another possibility. If Trump moves the embassy, the Palestinians may just get the idea, once and for all, that Israel is here to stay.
That the magnificent city of West Jerusalem — gorgeous, diverse, colorful, stunning, seat of the Knesset — is not going anywhere.
That the chief Palestinian approach to peace — delay, dither, embrace the last peace plan, no longer on the table — is not working. And will not work — ever.
Abbas threatens violence if Trump moves the American embassy. How much patience does Abbas think that Israel — or Trump — will have for more Palestinian violence?
Maybe, if Trump moves the embassy, this will have a sobering effect on the Palestinians and bring them to the table before they lose still another big bargaining chip.
Copyright © 2017 by the Intermountain Jewish News
