In a revolutionary decision that has for sure and will continue to upset many political equations and statistics, the President of the United States of America, Mr. Donald Trump, has officially become the first statesman from U.S.A. to give an official recognition to Jerusalem, as the capital of Israel.
Defying the upcoming global opposition, The President of USA called for a press conference at the White House, and in a speech delivered there, he boldly declared his support for the Jewish State and their ambition of the holy city of Jerusalem being recognized as their Capital. Giving directions to the state department for the moving of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a process that would be completed by 2021 approximately, Mr. Trump announced the following decision in his speech:-
“I have determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel……While previous presidents have made this a major campaign promise, they failed to deliver. Today, I am delivering……..My announcement today marks the beginning of a new approach to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.”
Before we throw some light on how the world reacted to this bold move, let us go back in time, and see what is this Jerusalem all about, and why is it so unique and important, that Donald Trump decided to recognize the same as Israel’s Capital.
One of the oldest recognized cities in the world, the earliest traces of Jerusalem can be found in 2400 BCE, when cuneiform tablets from the Mesopotamian Civilization mentioned the earliest name of Jerusalem as Urusalima, which probably meant the ‘City of Shalem’, named after a Canaanite deity, also revered in Judaism. Significant construction began by 800 BCE, and soon enough it became the religious and administrative capital of the Kingdom of Judah, the same kingdom which had institutionalized the religion of Judaism, whose followers are now known as Jews. This is considered as a holy city for the three principal Abrahamic faiths, viz. Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Throughout its long history, this city has been attacked, razed, plundered, captured, liberated and reestablished many a times.
Following are some statistics:-
1.) Jerusalem was destroyed twice
2.) It was surrounded or besieged 23 times
3.) It was attacked 52 times
4.) It was captured and recaptured 44 times
However, what brings Jerusalem into the current controversy is its relation with its neighboring state and archenemy, the Islamic state of Palestine, created in 1948 by the Britishers under the Palestinian partition plan. The casus belli for Jerusalem is that of ethnicity: while Israelites claim that the entire Jerusalem is their eternal and undivided capital, owing to the birth of Judaism in this city, the Palestinians claim the eastern region of Jerusalem as their capital, which would not only be their future seat of power, but also receive their holy Al Aqsa Mosque, which allegedly marks the place from where Prophet Muhammad supposedly ascended to heaven.
Even though Israel was created in 1948, it had to wait for 19 years to get back its eastern portion of Jerusalem, imperialized by Palestinian terrorists with the support and protection of the neighboring nation Jordan. It was only in the famous Six Day War, when Israel pummeled the joint forces of Jordan, Syria and Egypt along with 3 other Arab nations black and blue, and reclaimed all their lost territories. However, thanks to the utopian ideals of human rights [practiced selectively], liberalism and free speech, very few statesmen in the world have the guts to accept Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. So it is heartening that the President of one of the most powerful nations in the world has taken the risk of accepting Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital.
Besides, it’s surprising as to why Jerusalem has not been recognized as Israel’s capital as yet. It is the seat of the Israeli Parliament, Knesset; it is also the seat of the Israeli Supreme Court. Apart from that, Israel has had a rich history associated with this city.
Now that Trump has officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, wouldn’t there be any howling from the international communities and the so called human rights organizations? There would be so without doubt, and it was unprecedented. The entire cordon of Islamic nations have risen up in arms against this decision, forcing meek ‘liberal’ nations like France, Sweden, Germany etc. Some of them have even called for open military assistance to Palestine, should Jerusalem become Israel’s Capital. If you don’t believe me, read these boastful claims by Malaysia, situated poles apart from Israel:-
This is not all. Even the United Nations Organization, which is accused of being biased towards the Arabic demands, has refused to praise USA for its efforts, labeling the decision as a threat to international peace. International peace? Is Palestine filled with yogic sadhus? They have been baying for every Jew’s blood since the 60s, they are responsible for the atrocious Munich Massacre, and yet Jerusalem should not be recognized as the capital of Israel. Wait, we tend to forget that this is the same UN, which refuses to accept our rightful claim on the Pakistani occupied territories of Kashmir either. So we can’t expect anything better.
India, on the other hand, has refused to mess with this situation, and stay independent. While this is certainly not a bad idea, reluctance in renouncing ties with Palestine, which is the sister of Pakistan in terms of breeding terrorism in its backyard, is not a great idea either. In fact, India should also throw their weight behind the Jewish capital, if they seriously want to be considered as tough players in international politics.
Whatever be the consequences, one must appreciate Donald Trump for this sensible decision that his government has taken. The Israelis have long been denied of their right to Jerusalem, it’s time we give them support and officially recognize their valor.
Sources:-
http://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/03/opinions/jerusalemcapital-trump-opinion-miller/index.html
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/06/donald-trump-us-jerusalemisrael-capital