An Open Ended Decision

The UN Security Council has called a session to discuss the tensions in the Middle East

Corina Cristea, 12.01.2018, 12:25

The decision of the American president to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has had a massive effect on the Middle East and beyond. Following the announcement, the UN Security Council called an emergency session, and protests erupted in the Palestinian territories and several Muslim countries. In an attempt to gain support from the EU, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went on a tour of Europe and discussed the issue with EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Federica Mogherini.

The Israeli leader conveyed a message to European officials, saying that he believed that most European countries would move their embassies to Jerusalem, recognizing that city as Israel’s capital, and would commit to security, prosperity and peace. That message was firmly countered by Mogherini, who said, on behalf of the EU, that she believed that the only realistic solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the two-state solution, with Jerusalem as a capital for both. She said that the Union would continue to follow the provisions of the international agreement on Jerusalem until the final status of the holy city would be settled on by negotiations between all sides involved. Peace in this most sensitive of areas is desired by all, a fact emphasized by all official statements.

It was also the argument invoked by the White House in early December, when the statement was made. This statement has been delayed for a long time, since Congress had made a decision to recognize Jerusalem a while back, delaying an official statement in this respect every six months. Iulian Chifu, the head of the Center for Conflict Prevention in Bucharest, told Radio Romania about the context of this occurrence:

TRACK VM: “This is a dispute around the city of Jerusalem, which symbolically represents the three fundamental monotheistic religions, and where Palestinian Arabs wish to have their own capital, in Eastern Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa Mosque lies. The great issue of the division of the city of Jerusalem, potentially a double capital, was under discussion in every peace process so far. This gesture is mostly symbolic, I would say, but a symbolism that in the Middle East has a great impact, and we are yet to see what the cost will be.

It is clear that the Middle East peace process is in a gridlock, according to analysts, and this decision was taken by Donald Trump as the only solution. Iulian Chifu once again:

“This was a formula to reset the board. My hope now is that Washington thought through the consequences of such a change. When you overturn the chessboard, things may resettle in a favorable manner, but most times they resettle in a detrimental way. Let us not forget the story of the sorcerer’s apprentice, which could apply in this situation. As such, I would not get too emotional, and let things settle for a couple of months, and then see if this new arrangement is proper, if this Palestinian Arab area, and the world at large, the great power and regional powers will be able to absorb this reality. Only then will we be able to conclude for good whether or not this was an advantageous move. At first sight, I think this is crossing a line, which only blows up peace in the Middle East as we know it for now.

On the other hand, according to Iulian Chifu, there is no precedent for a peace process not involving both sides:

“A unilateral peace process only occurs when someone has an absolute win in the field, and we well know such a situation isnt sustainable. The Middle East has proved it countless times. There were times when one combatant or the other waved the flag of victory, only to subsequently face the situation in the field. Hence, I would say once again that I hold serious reservations regarding further developments.

Romania’s Prime Minister, Mihai Tudose, said that there are no longer any conflicts that are remote or close by. He said that any conflict that puts in danger the stability and safety of Romanian citizens is a concern. According to him, Bucharest is firmly engaged, on the side of its EU and NATO partners, in any effort that promotes stability and security in the area. (Translated by C. Cotoiu)