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Because He Said So


On 14 May, Israel will celebrate 70 years of independence. On that day, the United States is also expected to move its embassy to Jerusalem in the spirit of celebrations amongst Israelis, and mourning of Palestinians who are reminded of the Nakba: the day they lost their land 7 decades ago.

To mark the upcoming occasion, an Israeli senior Ministry of Foreign Affairs official spoke to Al-Monitor regarding Israel’s historical narrative at 70 years of independence, indicating that Israel´s democratic existence in a region of autocratic regimes bestows further legitimacy to the imminent  festivities. Plus, Donald Trump has endorsed Israel’s right to be recognised by the Palestinians as the homeland of the Jewish people. Yes, Trump´s statement seals the deal and provides the missing and crucial conformation of the Jewishness of Israel and the Jerusalemness of its capital.

It is interesting how the official´s enlightening proclamation came right after his/her reiteration that Israel is the only democracy in the region. In that official´s opinion, democracy constitutes what millions of Arabs believe is fair, what the Palestinian people conceive as historical injustice inflicted upon them, and the  illegal, unilateral recognition of the status of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in spite of international condemnation. Trump said it should be Israel´s capital, then it should be. Let us forget the city´s history that stretches back to 5000 BC, its linkages with the patriarch of the Hebrews Abraham and Moises, the early wars over the city between the Israelis and Philistines, the rulings of David and Solomon, and the eras of the Persians, Macedonians, Maccabees, Romans and Herodes. Christianity’s birth and Byzantiu´s rule are irrelevant, and so is the city´s fruition under the Umayyads, Abbasids, Fatimids and Ayubbis. The Crusaders´ battles are the past and must be ignored. The Ottoman´s Empire, the two World Wars, and the British mandate should all be forgotten. The rich history of the city, the coexistence of multiple religions over centuries, and the dozens of civilisations that reigned over it mean nothing to some Israeli aides. Trump´s recognition suffices.

In three weeks´ time people of the sacred land will be rejoicing and mourning simultaneously. The world will be watching silently until action is deemed necessary. The euphoria of masked peace and unfair conquer of the holy city should not be a reason to forget history and the lessons that should have been learned and entrenched in both hearts and minds.  Independence day should be an occasion to remember the history of Jerusalem and the right that Muslims, Christians, and Jews have in that land. Trump´s words should not trump history.

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