What’s Next for the Palestinians?

President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has left Palestinian leaders questioning the United States’ ability to effectively spearhead any future peace negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Trump’s announcement has also sparked protests in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, which could turn violent, although such a flare-up in tensions would reignite bloodshed and suffering on both sides and further hamper reaching a sustainable outcome. Ultimately, Trump’s decision may have far-reaching implications as it could push an increasing number of Palestinians towards Hamas’ hardline mantra and compel Palestinian leaders to revisit their vision of what constitutes a future Palestinian state.

• Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas stated that Trump’s decision was “a deliberate undermining of all peace efforts” and that it “represents a declaration that the United States has withdrawn from playing the role it has played in the past decades in sponsoring the peace process.”
• Saeb Erekat, chief Palestinian negotiator and secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the political body that represents Palestinians at the UN, said that Trump “has disqualified his country from any possible role in the peace process” and “destroyed any possibility of peace” between Israelis and Palestinians.
• Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh called for a new “intifada” or uprising against Israel, and said that the decision amounted to a declaration of “war” against the Palestinians. “We have given instruction to all Hamas members and to all its wings to be fully ready for any new instructions or orders that may be given to confront this strategic danger that threatens Jerusalem and threatens Palestine,” Haniyeh said. “We want the uprising to last and continue to let Trump and the occupation regret this decision.”

Middle Eastern history dictates that violence has served as a driving factor in forcing opposing sides to reach difficult compromises. However, while another intifada could propel Israeli and Palestinian leaders to the negotiating table to alleviate an immediate crisis, previous intifadas have cost many lives and have failed to yield a lasting peace agreement acceptable to both sides.