President Trump is playing a dangerous game in the Middle East, says Alex Fishman. For nearly
70 years, the US has held off recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, because the Palestinians also
claim it as theirs, and any two-state solution will have to involve shared or international custody. But
during his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly promised to move the US embassy in Israel from
Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, if elected – effectively recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s alone. His allies now
say he plans to honour that pledge, no matter the consequences. Hamas and fundamen talist Muslims
among Israel’s Arabs, always seeking a pretext “to inflame the street”, would cast the move as “the
return of the Crusaders”. Jordan, which is in charge of the disputed Temple Mount area, holy to both
Jews and Muslims, would have no choice but to protest. Given that 6% of Jordan’s people support
radical Islamist movements, its very regime could be at risk. The unrest could “stimulate the street in
Egypt”, too. Yet rather than discouraging Trump, Israel’s government is doing all it can to “make the
embassy affair ignite a big fire”. With Trump’s help, we’re “shooting ourselves in the foot”.
