The unwritten “special relationship” with the U.S. is without a doubt Israel’s greatest and most potent outside asset. Consequently, avoiding an escalation in the current political conflict between the two countries should be Israel’s top priority.
A possible way out would be to stop speeches and articles by top ministers in Israel trumpeting their intention to continue building in east Jerusalem, de facto suspend any new construction “until all the plans, insurance etc. are ready” but again in practice continue with maintenance work on existing structures. And last but not least, don’t confuse the situation with the biblical Joshua’s Jericho and stop thinking that blowing the rhetorical shofars will bring the walls down.
Alas, it will only build new ones with Washington.
Professor, New Jersey City University
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