Why Declaring Jerusalem As Israel’s Capital May Upend Peace in Middle East

As reports mount that the Trump administration will officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, USCPR Executive Director Yousef Munayyer spoke to USA Today about the implications of such a move.

Changing the status of Jerusalem — a holy city for Jews, Muslims and Christians — “would add to the narrative of extremists who want to paint the Western world in terms of a religious war,” said Yousef Munayyer, executive director of the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights.

“For the United States to weigh in so heavily on the side of the Israelis sends a message that the extremists would capitalize on,” Munayyer said.

Iran would also use the issue to advance its strength, making the country “more popular in the region at the expense of America’s allies,” Munayyer said. “I cannot think of anything short of sending Iranians arms and cash that would do more to boost the Iranians in the region.”

Read the article here.