For the Palestinian cause, there is nothing more important than the fate of occupied Jerusalem. The Palestinians have sought the eastern part of occupied Jerusalem as the capital of their future, independent state. They are still seething at US President Donald Trump decision to recognise all of occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and for proposing a reduction in aid, reversing decades of US policy.
This anger was evident in President Mahmoud Abbas’s combative, two-hour speech at the conference of the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s Central Committee in Ramallah. Abbas’s statement that he would no longer accept the United States as a mediator between the Palestinians and Israel must be seen in the context of Washington’s decision.
While calling for a ‘review’ of all agreements reached with Tel Aviv since the Oslo accords in 1993, Abbas reiterated his commitment to a two-state solution.
America’s ‘deal of the century’, promised a year ago, has unravelled because it clearly favours only one side in the negotiations. For the Palestinians, there are difficult choices ahead, as they evaluate how to respond in a way that helps them salvage the remaining hopes of a two-state solution.
In his speech, Abbas reiterated his commitment to a two-state solution. The best way forward is to rope in other international actors, given Washington’s clear bias in favour of its Israeli ally. But, tragically, previous multinational efforts have produced no results. However, that seems to be the only viable option worth pursuing.
The Arabs must once again help Palestinians avail the help of other major international players, namely the United Nations, the European Union and Russia – the three other members of the so-called ‘Quartet’, which has remained almost dormant in recent years.
In the court of international public opinion, there still remains a great deal of sympathy and support for the just aspirations of the Palestinian people. No matter how much the regime in Tel Aviv tries, it is unable to brush aside the Palestinian cause. This was best demonstrated when some of Israel and America’s closest allies chose to vote against the US decision on occupied Jerusalem at the United Nations.
The US can still be part of the international effort; Abbas was careful not to rule out Washington’s involvement in the ‘peace process’. But, it must re-evalaute its position. To be a central player, it needs to show at least a modicum of neutrality when it comes to negotiations.
