Trump and Jerusalem

Trudy Rubin wrote (Dec. 20) that Trump brought no peace to Jerusalem. Unfortunately, she speaks of his declaration in isolation. What U.S. president or United Nations resolution has brought true peace to Jerusalem — or to the Israel-Palestine dilemma?

I contend that Trump’s acknowledgement of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was a symbolic gesture balancing UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (Dec. 2016), which itself altered the status quo of Jerusalem. Since 1967, after Jordan attacked Israel, and Israel responded in defense, the Western Wall, Jewish Quarter of the Old city and roads to Hebrew University and Hadassah Hospital were liberated from Jordanian “occupation.” Resolution 2334 in essence declared these liberated areas as “occupied” by Israel.

Greater harm to the Palestinian people and the peace process comes from Hamas, the Palestinian Authority and Fatah. Children’s TV, social media, youth camps, official school curriculum teach Jew-hatred. Families of terrorists are paid. Schools, community centers and streets are named after the attackers.

No declaration or peace process can counteract the embedded hatred fostered by Palestinian leaders. Peace to Palestinian leaders includes zero Jewish presence in the land. Acknowledging Jerusalem as the capital of Israel pales in comparison to the damage done by Palestinian leaders’ manipulating their people.

Jean Homer

Spokane