A new chapter in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict: Trump’s Jerusalem Policy

Trump’s decision to move Israel’s capital shocked the world. Here’s why knowing the importance of Jerusalem to Muslims is key to understanding the conflict.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been, according to some experts, a complete foreign policy disaster for more than 60 years. For decades, both sides have indulged in violent and temporary solutions and washed each other with hate. The newest chapter of Israeli-Palestinian relations was written, unsurprisingly, by President Donald Trump, who decided to recognize Jerusalem as the official capital of Israel. With this new declaration, Washington’s plan to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is now in the works, with an expected completion date in three or four years. Such a political decision could complicate relations between Israelis and neighboring countries, who have combated with Hamas, Fatah, and now the joint Palestinian government for the past decade.

Quick Timeline

A quick look back at Jerusalem’s past controversies.

• In the original United Nations plan in 1947, Jerusalem was envisioned as an international city
• During the Six Day War in 1967, Israel occupied East Jerusalem and the territory has been under Israel’s control ever since.
• Fast forward to 1980, when Israel declared that its Capital was officially Jerusalem. In response, the UN Security Council condemned the action and called it a violation of international law.
• In 1995, Congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act which instructed the United States to move their embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem
• However, every President since 1995 has declined the option to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem

What’s the controversy behind the deal?

Trump’s decision is a problem for some because it symbolizes that the United States is turning its back on the decades of legislation trying to establish peace in the region. The United States — resisting the general consensus’ perspective of Jerusalem’s role in the region — concerns many who live in the region. Since the US is a major superpower with mighty influence in the region, this decision might shake up Middle Eastern policy in the long run.

Previously, Trump had promised to broker a two-state solution between the two, but many Palestinians have lost faith with the symbolic weight of Trump’s statement. Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organization Saeb Erekat said that Trump and Israeli PM Netanyahu “have managed to destroy [hope for a two-state solution].” He now supports a single-state solution, with Palestinians and Israelis being granted the same civil rights — an unlikely option for Israel, as granting votes to Palestinians will lead to the end of a Jewish state.

What importance does Jerusalem hold for Muslims?

According to a few individuals in the Muslim community, here are the main reasons why Jerusalem is so important in the Islamic faith.

First Qibla

For Muslims, Jerusalem was the first place to turn towards well praying — also known as the Qibla. In exactly the seventeenth month of the Hijrah a divine command came down explaining the direction of prayer, qibla, would be towards the Kaaba, in Mecca. The Qibla is a site of unity for all Muslims because of the spirituality of the five prayers. But the importance of Jerusalem to the Muslims was never less after the Qibla changed direction as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, “set out deliberately on a journey only to three mosques: this mosque of mine (in Medina), the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) and the Masjid al Aqsa (in Jerusalem).”

Birthplace of many Prophets and Monotheism in the Islamic faith

Islam, like Judaism and Christianity, is an Abrahamic faith, meaning that these three faiths share a couple notable prophets who have roots in Jerusalem. Jerusalem was also the residence and place of birth for many prophets including Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Jesus, and Moses.

Isra wal Miraj: the Prophet’s Journey

Isra wal Miraj is known to Muslims as the day in which God took Muhammad from Jerusalem to the Heavens. It is told that Muhammed (peace be upon him) started this journey in Mecca, traveled to Jerusalem, and then made his passage to the heavens in The Dome of the Rock (Qubbat as Sakhrah). For this reason, the Al-Aqsa complex is considered a holy site for the Islamic faith.

With the multitude of forces playing into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, any general shift of U.S. influence in the area will complicate regional security. Even though the conflict is generally presented by the Trump Administration as a political maneuver, there are many different religious perspectives that will severely affect foreign relations for years to come.

The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Rootpolicy.

Originally published at rootpolicy.org on January 5, 2018.