Trump's Decision on Jerusalem is Erroneous

The recent decision of US President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital as well as his plan to move the country's foreign embassy there, in my honest and considered view, is erroneous. Erroneous because it was done unilaterally and no prior extensive consultations were made upon by him.

To me also, this violates fully the two state solution proposed by the United Nations (UN) on 1947, on wherein there will be two states, Israel and Palestine and Jerusalem will be divided into two, the west and the east and the east itself will be the capital of Palestine, if my memory serves me right and correct me if I am wrong. I am quite afraid that the peace process betwen the two, being brokered by the US for decades would be laid to a waste due to Mr. Trump's decision that was also criticized by his fellow leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, etc, which includes the leaders in the Middle East.

On our case, perhaps President Rodrigo Duterte, on behalf of the Philippines, should oppose publicly what Mr. Trump has made as it may re-ignite the flames of war in the Middle East, aside from the jeopardy it may cause on the said peace process and since it may affect thousands of OFWs working in the Middle East, especially in Israel and Palestine as part of the independent foreign policy his administration is implementing at this point in time or oppose it discreetly via official diplomatic channels even if the US is our chief and prime ally in Southeast Asia.

In fact, there has been chaos in Palestine when the erroneous decision was made. Many Palestinians were angry especially their leaders, President Mahmud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya.

On my part, I would like to ask Trump if he can sleep soundly over his decision he made? While I respect his prerogative, perhaps he should exercise care and prudence in deciding state matters of the US, especially the foreign relations concerns, even if he is the architect and chief maker of the country's foreign policy.

Would he able to face the rage of the Palestinians? Would he be able to resume the brokering of peace talks between the two nations, Israel and Palestine in spite of his decision? I don't know.  Let us see later.

I hope there will be no war in the Middle East that might happen due to Mr. Trump's decision. Because if it happens, I cannot say if the US will prevent it. Remember, the Israelis and the Arabs have deep long hatred with each other since Israel's founding on 1948 and they have fought wars with each other until 1973, in which Israel always won in spite of the fact that it is fighting alone against a combination of armies of the Arab countries.

My advice to Mr. Trump is that he must reconsider his decision and respect the two-state solution set forth by the UN on the matter. If he does that, then he can correct the error he has made.

That will be all for this short blog.

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