America’s Middle East Policy: Approving Settlements Obstructs Peace

Another foolish maneuver that pushes peace in the Middle East further away is upon us. The Trump administration’s oppression of Palestine is likely to deepen mistrust of American diplomacy.

The problem is Israel’s unilateral expansion of settlement activity into the Palestinian Authority. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a press conference that this is “not … inconsistent with international law,” which is a sign of de facto approval.

Transplanting one’s own citizens into territory under military occupation violates international treaties. The U.N. Security Council has also pointed out that settlements often violate international law. The American government’s new position is a crazy idea that ignores international rules.

There is no way to resolve the 70-year Middle East conflict other than a two-state solution: a Palestinian nation coexisting with Israel.

And yet Israel is expanding its settlements, and 400,000 Jews are interspersed among the 2.7 million Palestinians living on the West Bank of the Jordan River. In September, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even proposed annexing part of the West Bank.

Israel should cancel its plans to indefinitely continue its occupation at once. Such plans would deepen Palestinian hatred and worsen Israel’s relations with Arab countries. In the long run, they would probably threaten Israel’s security.

Israel’s supporter, America, also stated in 1978 that settlements are “inconsistent with international law.” Since then, the U.S. has maintained its position that the existence of settlements was an obstruction to peace.

The Trump administration, which has so casually changed that policy, is supporting Israel to an unusual degree.

Recognizing the disputed territory of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital – according to its wishes – the U.S. moved its embassy there. It also recognized Israel’s claim to the Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria.

Meanwhile, Israel continues to intimidate Palestine: closing down the Palestinian delegation in Washington, D.C., and cutting off donations to the institution that provides education and health care for Palestinian refugees.

Trump continues to claim he is producing a new structure for Middle Eastern peace, but instead he has abandoned his authority to serve as an intermediary.

The claim that the Trump administration’s diplomatic policy is being used to shore up support for the president is well grounded. Christian evangelicals, a sturdy part of his base, support Israeli settlements. With the U.S. presidential election approaching next year, we fear further troubling actions by the Trump administration.

International society cannot just sit by and watch America’s blunders.

Japan continues to support Palestine’s efforts at attaining economic self-sufficiency. Japan should link up with Europe and others to urge America and Israel to reconsider, and should stubbornly lead an international debate so that the path to a two-state solution isn’t completely closed.