May 14, 2018

Today, the Trump administration officially opened a US embassy in Jerusalem, effectively recognizing the city as the capital of Israel. Recognizing Jerusalem as the Israeli capital -- an area that the United Nations designated as an international city in 1947 -- has confirmed US intentions of blind support for the Israeli military occupation of Palestinian land. It has also aggravated Israeli-Palestinian divisions, added tension to an already volatile region, and for all intents and purposes, killed the fragile peace process.

The United States’ role in this conflict is critical and has now become problematic by recognizing Jerusalem as the Israeli capital. Israel has already increased its violent response to peaceful Palestinian protests. While White House Senior Adviser and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner spoke about “peace being within reach,” during his address at the opening of the embassy, Israeli snipers were gunning down Palestinians as a means to quell peaceful demonstrations. Further, Kushner addressed the peaceful protesters in Gaza as “those provoking violence.”

This administration is making clear it does not intend on being an honest broker in any Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. Trump can expect political unrest, a cessation of the peace processes and further deterioration of human rights in the region, a place where war and suffering has become too common.

At MPAC, we will continue to work diligently to preserve the civil liberties of those advocating for a just U.S. policy in the region.