The unveiling of the so called “Deal of the Century” is yet another disgraceful act by the Trump Administration. A “peace deal” is supposed to entail conflict-ending terms that are to the mutual benefit of both parties, and can only be reached through a level playing field. This so-called “deal” is nothing more than an attempt by President Trump to impose an extremist Israeli agenda on the Palestinians, without regard to their most basic rights or aspirations. This Administration’s policy towards the Palestinians is not based on any moral or legal principles, but caters exclusively to the President’s far-right domestic constituency at the expense of peace, stability, and the U.S. national interest.
The timing of this plan’s release also appears to be politically motivated, as President Trump seeks to distract the public’s attention from the mounting evidence of his corruption in the midst of his impeachment trial in the Senate. The same can be said of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is also facing corruption charges. As Dr. Hanan Ashrawi stated, this is a “lethal diversionary tactic at the expense of Palestinian rights and international law.”
The Trump administration’s so-called “deal” is a violation of International Law, attempting to legitimize illegal Israeli settlements in the face of world-wide condemnation. As the occupying power, Israel must abide by the norms of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) governing situations of belligerent occupation, particularly the 1907 Hague Regulations and Geneva Convention IV (GC IV). As part of its obligations, Israel is forbidden under Article 49 GC IV from forcefully transferring or deporting the local population from the occupied territory, or from transferring its own population into the occupied territory. The establishment and continued development of Israeli settlements in the West Bank is not only a clear violation of international law, but even amounts to a war crime (rule 156; ICC Statute, art. 8(2)(b)(viii)).
It has also been the long-standing policy of U.S. through successive administrations that Israel’s settlement policy is indeed a violation of International Law and an impediment to peace. Just a month before President Trump took office, President Barack Obama broke with a pattern of U.S. shielding of Israel from accountability at the United Nations, allowing a resolution to pass without U.S. objections that reaffirmed the status of Israeli settlements as “illegitimate” and a “flagrant violation under International Law”. While the Obama administration failed to apply meaningful pressure on Israel to change course, its approach of criticizing Israeli violations of international law and Palestinian rights gave the U.S. better credibility to pursue a peace agreement.
After over 70 years of displacement and over 50 years of brutal occupation, the Palestinian people remain steadfast and resilient in demanding justice and restoring their rights. There can never be a just and lasting peace agreement without securing the freedom of the Palestinian people. To that end, we call upon our fellow Americans to reject the Trump Administration’s ‘Charade of the Century,’ and call for applying real accountability on Israel, by conditioning U.S. military aid to Israel on Israel ending the occupation, so that both Israelis and Palestinians can live together in peace and security.
Signatories:
Humanitarian Relief Fund HRF
Jerusalem Center of Greater, Chicago
Palestinian American Woman Association
Palestinian American Youth League
Save Families
The American Federation of Ramallah Palestine AFRP
Palestinian American Council/ Louisiana
Americans & Palestinians for Peace.
Palestine Aid Society of America.
Palestine American League, California.
Al Nahda Center
The Arabic Network of Culture, Opinion, and Media.
PACC- The Palestinian American Community Center – Arizona.
American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
Coalition of Palestinian American organizations.
US Palestinian Council
Palestinian American Community Center
Dallas Palestine Coalition
Palestinian Democratic Coalition-USA.
Students for Justice in Palestine/Chicago
American Muslims for Palestinian AMP/Chicago
Deir Debwan Charity
National Arab American Women’s Association (NAAWA)
Palestinian American Council – Chicago
Methodist Federation for Social Action
Utahns for a Just Peace in the Holy Land
Peace for Children
Palestinian Americans Athletic Association
Bryn Mawr Peace Coalition
Jerusalem Conference
Shido Alrehal
Palestinian American Cultural Center- Houston
US Palestinian Community Network
Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights
Palestinian American Coalition – SF / Bay Area
