Abstract
The Palestinian position towardsJerusalemis in absolute contradiction with the Israeli one. The indications show that both parties firmly hold to their positions. The Israelis aim to unify the city as the capital ofIsraeland refuse to negotiate otherwise. The Palestinians' aspiration is to establish their capital inJerusalemwith the intention to keep the city open for worshipers from different faiths and religions. The strong Israeli position in negotiating the future ofJerusalemwith the Palestinians is based on the changes made on the ground since occupying the city, particularly the Israeli settlements constructed among the Palestinian population centres and areas.Israelhas succeeded in removing the Palestinian characteristics in theWest Jerusalemin particular. However, the effectiveness of the Palestinians position is sustained by the international community, which neither recognises the Israeli transformation ofJerusalemnor acknowledges it as the capital ofIsrael. In addition, the United Nations Resolutions have frequently condemnedIsraelfor its activities inJerusalemand have not consideredJerusalemas the capital ofIsrael. Some UN Resolutions obviously demanded complete cessation of Israeli settlement activities and requestedIsraelto halt its deliberate acts aimed at changing the features of city.Israelhas imposed its position by force, while the Palestinian position is based on legitimacy and international support. It is unfeasible to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without settling the issue ofJerusalem. Considering both parties' positions, peace is unattainable in the region in the foreseeable future.
Highlights
The issue of Jerusalem emerged in 1937, when the Peel Commission recommended partitioning Palestine into two states, Jewish and Arab, provided that the sacred sites remained under a British Mandate
Hani Albasoos Sovereignty over Jerusalem an occupied territory, but initiatives of the international community trying to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have not addressed the sovereignty of Jerusalem, despite knowing that this issue represents the essence of the Middle East conflict
A statement issued by the Presidency of the EU in July 2009 further criticised Israel for its actions in Jerusalem as contrary to international law, saying they should be halted immediately, as they coincided with an increase in Israeli settlements that could jeopardise any chance for peace (Anba Moscow, 2012)
Summary
The issue of Jerusalem emerged in 1937, when the Peel Commission recommended partitioning Palestine into two states, Jewish and Arab, provided that the sacred sites remained under a British Mandate. Jerusalem has a significant status as it contains one of the holiest Islamic sites, the al-Aqsa mosque. It is part of the occupied Palestinian territories, and whatever is applied to the Palestinian cause (such as the illegitimacy of conquering land by military invasion, people’s right to self-determination, illegitimacy of demographical and geographical changes made by the occupation forces) is applied to the city of Jerusalem. Hani Albasoos Sovereignty over Jerusalem an occupied territory, but initiatives of the international community trying to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have not addressed the sovereignty of Jerusalem, despite knowing that this issue represents the essence of the Middle East conflict. The second part deals with the influential international stances taken towards Jerusalem by the United States and the European Union, in addition to the Arab League’s position concerning the holy city
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