Fire This Time Movement for Social Justice Statement
December 8, 2017
The Fire This Time Movement for Social Justice fiercely denounces U.S. President Trump’s provocative announcement that the United States government will recognize occupied Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the U.S. Embassy there. This is the latest demonstration of colonial arrogance from the U.S. in its support for Israel — which comes at the direct cost of the lives and self-determination of Palestinians.
There is no mistaking the significance of Jerusalem, known in Arabic as al-Quds (“The Holy One”), to the people of Palestine. It is recognized as their “eternal capital”, and the location of the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, two of the most significant sites in Islam. It has also been the centre of so-called Peace negotiations since the forced establishment of Israel on Palestinian lands in 1948. Palestinians have fought against a continued campaign of ethnic cleansing by Israel in Jerusalem, as they have in all of occupied Palestine. Today they still make up 37% of the population of Jerusalem, despite facing constant persecution by Israeli forces.
This move also solidifies what Palestinians have known all along: the United States has never been, and will never be, an honest broker for peace in the region. How could they be when they are constantly arming and enabling one side against the other? While for decades Israel and the United States have been constantly calling for a “negotiated settlement” to the conflict, on the ground they have continued to grab more land, violate more rights and kill more Palestinians.
Trump’s announcement was a clear message to Israel — we will support you in every continued bloody attack on Palestinians. On this issue, like so many others, the U.S. and its violent client state Israel are isolated internationally. No other country in the world has an embassy in Jerusalem and no country in the world has rushed to support this U.S move.
The absurdity of the situation is clear. Why is it that a statement by the U.S. government holds so much significance? Because Israel would not be able to exist for even one day if not for the massive diplomatic, financial and military support of the United States. In 2016, the U.S. signed a deal to give Israel $38 billion in military aid over the next 10 years — $3.8 billion per year, or $10.41 million per day. While the Trump administration is cutting aid to every other country in the world, they have made clear that Israel will be the exception.
During the creation of Israel approximately 750,000 Palestinians were made refugees by Israeli forces in 1948. Today there are more than 7.2 million Palestinian refugees and another 355,000 who are internally displaced within Israel’s borders. Despite 70 years of suffering and hardship they have not given up the struggle for their rights and their country, including their right of return. No statement by any U.S. President has ever been able to change that, and no amount of violence by the state of Israel will ever be able to change that either.
Fire This Time Movement for Social Justice stands with the brave people of Palestine in their continued struggle for dignity and self-determination against Israel and the United States. We call on all peace-loving people around the world to stand up and denounce President Trump’s announcement, and to be constantly active in the ongoing fight for the liberation of Palestine!
End the Israeli Occupation of Palestine Now!
Long Live Palestine!
Long Live International Solidarity!
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