Donald Trump’s promises to relocate the American embassy to Israel’s capital have been met by prophecies of doom from many pundits and so-called experts. Supposedly it will cause Palestinians to riot, harm Israel’s improving ties with Sunni Arab states, and bring the hostility of the Muslim world down on the U.S. Not only are these predictions ill-founded, writes Miriam Elman, but the move could help advance the peace process:
As has long been noted by scholars [of conflict resolution], the perception of a party’s will and commitment is essential to peacemaking. Demands and offers need to be believable, and concrete actions can display a readiness to react.
Though some Arab states may protest, official relations between Israel and its neighbors have never been better as they face down common threats, from Islamist extremism to an expanding Iranian influence. . . . [Furthermore], while the international community hadn’t previously recognized Israeli sovereignty over any part of Jerusalem, the [recent UN Security Council] resolution actually commits the world to recognizing the western half of the city as part of the state of Israel, making Trump’s campaign promise more feasible than before.
Critics are right that an embassy move could spark demonstrations and perhaps even in other forms of retribution, undermining the shaky Palestinian Authority. But Jerusalem has already faced a wave of violence in recent months, and the potential for future clashes isn’t sufficient cause for delay. For the moment, Mahmoud Abbas would probably be able to control any fallout after emerging considerably stronger since last week’s Security Council vote and the Fatah central-party elections earlier this month.
[A] reversal of the longtime U.S. diplomatic boycott of Jerusalem could bode well for Israeli-Palestinian peace prospects. Sending a strong message that the new administration stands with the Israeli government on a major symbolic issue with high potential costs could push the Palestinian leadership to a greater sense of urgency in negotiations.
Read more on Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/12/29/trumps-plan-to-move-the-u-s-embassy-to-jerusalem-could-help-the-peace-process