Of Maps, Jerusalem and Donald Trump

Apart from books and coffee, I'm also quite a fan of maps. I grew up with a world map up on my bedroom wall. So it came naturally that I enjoyed and aced Geografi in school. But this map is a special one. It is not just a map, but a reminder.

A reminder of the longest illegal occupation and subjugation of an entire group of people in modern history. A reminder of 'Al Nakba' or the depopulation (read: ethnic cleansing) of Palestinians from their towns and villages in 1948, followed by the occupation of East Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza in 1967, until today.

Donald Trump's latest decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel would only make things worse for peace and stability. I mean things are already bad for the Palestinians. How long should the Palestinians be expected to live under the Israeli Military Occupation? Can we have a timeframe, at least? Or alternatively, can the Palestinians be given Israeli citizenship?

Unfortunately, Israel is only interested in the Palestinian lands, not the people who inhibit the land. And then came The Donald who promised to negotiate the best deal ever. He spoke about wanting to make peace and about the need for both sides to compromise etc, but in the end, he gave away all the cake to Netanyahu. Best deal ever.

One of the biggest problems with the so-called "peace process" is the context of the word "peace" here. It is very problematic. You can't have peace without independence. That is like trying to put the cart before the horse. It is absurd.

Can you have peace living under a military occupation? That is what is expected of the Palestinians. To live in peace under Occupation. And if the Palestinians want to resist the occupation, they would be labelled as terrorists or extremists who are bent on destroying Israel. And that is how the United States and Israel creates and perpetuates the "cycle of violence/tragedy".

#FreePalestine #FromtheRivertotheSea

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