Important Questions to Ask Concerning Jerusalem and Israeli/Palestinian Relations
The United States has officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. I am interested in this event, because I received my 2011 undergraduate degree in Hebrew and Semitic Studies from the University of Wisconsin and have spent all of my adult life teaching English as a Second Language domestically and abroad to students from the Middle East. I wish to pose questions that those with an interest in the Middle East should ask, my goal being to encourage constructive conversation among both the experts and general public concerning Israeli and Palestinian relations:
1) Who are the people most affected by US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital?
Yes, the main people affected by this event are Israelis, Palestinians, and the Americans living in the area. This is only the tip of the iceberg. An April 2, 2015 article from the NPR reported that there are 1.6 billion adherents to Islam around the world. Jerusalem is considered one of the most sacred cities in all of Islam. We need to recognize the reaction from the Islamic world, beyond the initial protests. There might be a rise in radical Islam among the followers of Islam. Another possibility is that the United States and westerners, with proper attention and care, can use current events as an opportunity to reestablish civil discourse among Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
2) What is the history of Israeli and Palestinian claims to Jerusalem and the land of Canaan?
Jerusalem is part of a rich history that should be recognized at any negotiation table. The history of the Israeli and Palestinian claims to the land literally spans two thousand years back during the time of the Roman Empire. Israelis observe the historical events of Masada and their fight against the Romans. Palestinians are a Mediterranean tribal culture and have had a long history of conflict with Arab tribes. Both Israelis and Palestinians have always been on the run and fight for the survival of their cultures.
3) Where is Jerusalem located in the land of Canaan?
Put the long historical claims of Israelis and Palestinians together in a region not much larger than the state of New Jersey and peace is difficult to find. Take some time to make some observations of this current map of the area surrounding Jerusalem and to construct some helpful questions.
4) When did this modern conflict over Jerusalem start to happen?
Think carefully about the modern history of the main people affected most by current events concerning Jerusalem, the Israelis and the Palestinians. The State of Israel was founded in 1948 and will turn 70 years old this upcoming year. Americans easily forget that many generations of Israelis and Palestinians have passed since the founding of Israel.
5) Why does this conflict over Jerusalem continue?
The most recent generation of Israelis and Palestinians have very different political beliefs than past generations. There are now Palestinians who are members of the Israeli army and supporters of the State of Israel. There are also new generations of Israelis fighting for the right of Palestinians to have their own state. Meanwhile, many of the leading politicians on both Israeli and Palestinian sides tend to adhere to the political policies of past generations. New leadership is needed among Israelis and Palestinians that recognize the values of younger generations.
6) How should we respond in light of the questions being asked?
What is my end goal and application I hope readers to draw from this treatise? Hopefully I have given readers some insight into not only the complexity of the city of Jerusalem, but also the long odyssey that is the history of both the Israelis and Palestinians. More importantly regardless of our opinion of Jerusalem being the capital of both Palestinians and Israelis, this current event can serve as a springboard to renewed conversations between both parties. The decree by the United Nations on a Jewish state made almost 70 years ago is seriously outdated. We need experts on both sides to look back on the history, admit to past mistakes, and begin to move forward. Only when this happens will Jerusalem live up to the meaning of its name, "the city that sees peace" (ירושלים أورشليم ).
1) Who are the people most affected by US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital?
Yes, the main people affected by this event are Israelis, Palestinians, and the Americans living in the area. This is only the tip of the iceberg. An April 2, 2015 article from the NPR reported that there are 1.6 billion adherents to Islam around the world. Jerusalem is considered one of the most sacred cities in all of Islam. We need to recognize the reaction from the Islamic world, beyond the initial protests. There might be a rise in radical Islam among the followers of Islam. Another possibility is that the United States and westerners, with proper attention and care, can use current events as an opportunity to reestablish civil discourse among Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
2) What is the history of Israeli and Palestinian claims to Jerusalem and the land of Canaan?
Jerusalem is part of a rich history that should be recognized at any negotiation table. The history of the Israeli and Palestinian claims to the land literally spans two thousand years back during the time of the Roman Empire. Israelis observe the historical events of Masada and their fight against the Romans. Palestinians are a Mediterranean tribal culture and have had a long history of conflict with Arab tribes. Both Israelis and Palestinians have always been on the run and fight for the survival of their cultures.
3) Where is Jerusalem located in the land of Canaan?
Put the long historical claims of Israelis and Palestinians together in a region not much larger than the state of New Jersey and peace is difficult to find. Take some time to make some observations of this current map of the area surrounding Jerusalem and to construct some helpful questions.
4) When did this modern conflict over Jerusalem start to happen?
Think carefully about the modern history of the main people affected most by current events concerning Jerusalem, the Israelis and the Palestinians. The State of Israel was founded in 1948 and will turn 70 years old this upcoming year. Americans easily forget that many generations of Israelis and Palestinians have passed since the founding of Israel.
5) Why does this conflict over Jerusalem continue?
The most recent generation of Israelis and Palestinians have very different political beliefs than past generations. There are now Palestinians who are members of the Israeli army and supporters of the State of Israel. There are also new generations of Israelis fighting for the right of Palestinians to have their own state. Meanwhile, many of the leading politicians on both Israeli and Palestinian sides tend to adhere to the political policies of past generations. New leadership is needed among Israelis and Palestinians that recognize the values of younger generations.
6) How should we respond in light of the questions being asked?
What is my end goal and application I hope readers to draw from this treatise? Hopefully I have given readers some insight into not only the complexity of the city of Jerusalem, but also the long odyssey that is the history of both the Israelis and Palestinians. More importantly regardless of our opinion of Jerusalem being the capital of both Palestinians and Israelis, this current event can serve as a springboard to renewed conversations between both parties. The decree by the United Nations on a Jewish state made almost 70 years ago is seriously outdated. We need experts on both sides to look back on the history, admit to past mistakes, and begin to move forward. Only when this happens will Jerusalem live up to the meaning of its name, "the city that sees peace" (ירושלים أورشليم ).
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