Lawfare Archive: The Jerusalem Embassy Opening and Protests in Gaza
Nov 25, 2023
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Guests Khaled Elgindy, Natan Sachs, and Sarah Yerkes discuss the opening of the American Embassy in Jerusalem, protests in Gaza, and the international reaction. They also explore the impact on US-European relationship and the origins of the Gaza protests. The podcast touches upon personal data privacy and provides recommendations on protecting personal information online.
The controversial decision to open the American Embassy in Jerusalem has sparked international legal implications and mixed reactions from different countries, with only a few following the United States' lead.
The protests along the border of Gaza and the Israeli government's response have highlighted the complexity of the Israeli public's perception, with concerns about the dire situation in Gaza and potential escalation of violence.
The United States' decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem has favored Israel and dealt a blow to the Palestinians' diplomatic strategy, leading to a sense of isolation and the need for a credible alternative approach.
Deep dives
Increase in cyber threats and the importance of digital hygiene
The podcast highlights the increasing threat of cyber actors targeting individuals and emphasizes the importance of maintaining good digital hygiene to protect oneself. The speaker shares a personal experience of receiving a warning call from the FBI about potential cyber threats, which led to an awareness of the amount of personal data available for sale through data brokers. He recommends using a service like Delete Me to remove and continuously monitor personal information online.
Controversial opening of the American Embassy in Jerusalem
The podcast discusses the controversial decision to open the American Embassy in Jerusalem. It explores the historical context of Jerusalem as a contested city, dating back to the 1947 partition plan. The move is seen by some as a recognition of a united Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty, while others view it as a correction of historical context by recognizing West Jerusalem as Israeli territory. The episode delves into the international legal implications and the response from different countries, noting that only a few countries, primarily in Latin America, have followed the United States' lead.
Protests in Gaza and Israeli response
The podcast addresses the protests along the border of Gaza and the Israeli government's response. It highlights the complexity of the Israeli public's perception of the situation, with a prevalent sense of indignation towards Gaza due to past conflicts and the perception that the protests challenge Israel's legitimacy. While there are differing views within the Israeli leadership, there is an acknowledgement of the dire situation in Gaza and concerns about the potential escalation of violence. The podcast also explores the Palestinian Authority's reaction to the protests, its complex relationship with Hamas, and the challenges it faces in maintaining relevance and control in the face of ongoing events.
The Impact of the Jerusalem Embassy Move
The podcast discusses the impact of the United States' decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem. The speaker argues that the ambiguity surrounding the decision favors Israel, the most powerful party in the conflict. The move is seen as a victory for the hard right in Israel and has been perceived by Palestinians as the United States handing over Jerusalem. It has dealt a blow to the Palestinian leadership and their diplomatic strategy of relying on an American-led peace process. The international reaction has generally been opposed to the move, with Western Europe and Arab states expressing their discontent. However, the Palestinians currently feel isolated and lack a credible alternative strategy.
The Gaza Protests and International Reaction
The podcast also addresses the ongoing protests in Gaza and the international community's response. The protests, which began prior to the embassy move, have seen a disproportionate use of force by Israel and have resulted in significant casualties. The international community, including Western Europe, has voiced opposition to Israel's actions. However, the Palestinians feel isolated and have lost support from their traditional allies. There is a lack of follow-through from the international community, and the Palestinians find themselves in a difficult situation. The podcast suggests that the United States should move beyond symbolic gestures and work constructively on the ground to mitigate the crisis in Gaza and address the broader regional challenges.
From May 19, 2018: The past week saw the culmination of a major shift in U.S. policy as the United States formally opened its embassy in Jerusalem. Yet ongoing protests along the border with the Gaza Strip and the Israeli government’s harsh response have provided a sharp contrast to the hopeful rhetoric surrounding the embassy’s opening ceremony. On Friday, Lawfare senior editor Scott Anderson spoke with Khaled Elgindy, Natan Sachs, and Sarah Yerkes to sort through the headlines.
