The Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's Capital: An Analysis of Trump’s Decision and Its Impact

The recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital by the former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2017 has been a pivotal moment in international relations, particularly concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict. This article delves into the underlying reasons behind this decision and explores its impact on the relationship between Palestine and Israel.

Reasons Behind Trump's Decision

Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was primarily driven by his political strategy to win votes and distinguish himself from his predecessor. This move was not a new idea, but a culmination of existing plans and legislation[Jerusalem, U.S. embassy relocation].

The Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 was a public law passed by the U.S. Congress, including plans to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. However, the actual move was delayed due to national security interests expressed by successive U.S. presidents.

The Historical Context

Jerusalem has always held significant importance for both Jews and Arabs. Historically, Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel/Jewish Palestine prior to 1948 and continues to be the capital today, even during the period when Jews were denied access to their capital and holy sites.

During the Jordanian occupation of the Judea/Samaria (West Bank) regions and the eastern half of Jerusalem from 1948 to 1967, Israel maintained Jerusalem as its capital. In 1967, after regaining control of Jerusalem, Israel offered to give away most of Judea/Samaria to the Arabs to create an independent Palestinian state, an offer which was rejected.

The 2017 Decision and Its Impacts

In December 2017, President Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This decision initiated the relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a process that had been planned for years.

Trump's peace plan, released in January 2020, aimed to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by keeping Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital and recognizing Israeli sovereignty over Judea/Samaria (West Bank). The plan also included provisions for an independent Palestinian state within the existing sovereign state of Israel, with a possibility for a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem.

Despite these proposals, the plan ultimately was not pursued in detail, as Trump had other pressing issues to address. This led to Jerusalem becoming the de jure capital without any land being taken from Israel.

Historical Significance

The history of Israel spans centuries and key milestones include:

The first united kingdom of Israel was established around 1020 BCE under King Saul. The kingdom later split into two: Israel in the north and Judah in the south. The Jews returned and rebuilt the Second Temple after the Babylonian conquest. The Hasmonean dynasty was established in the 2nd century BCE, marking a period of Jewish autonomy until the Roman annexation in 63 BCE. In the mid-19th century, the Jews represented the majority of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. During the Roman Empire until 1949, the term "Palestine" referred to the Jewish homeland, and Jews were known as "Palestinians," while Arabs were known as "Arabs." The modern state of Israel was proclaimed in 1948 following the end of British rule in Palestine and the United Nations' plan to partition Palestine.

In conclusion, the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital by President Trump reflected a combination of political strategy and historical realities. While the move was not without controversy and impacted the Israel-Palestine relations, it solidified Jerusalem's status as the capital of Israel.