What does it mean for Israel that the free world has a new leader, US President Joe Biden? Should we expect a third "Obama term," or will Biden forge his own path?
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Assuming it is the latter, these principles guide the US-Israel relationship, including, broad popular American support for Israel; President Biden's personal sympathy toward Israel; shared Judeo-Christian values; America's own strategic interests; the desire to strengthen America's most trusted Mideast ally; the mutual desire to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and the positive momentum generated by the Abraham Accords
Regarding Jerusalem, it is critical to reinforce the importance of united Jerusalem under Israeli control. The new administration will be under intense pressure, to take steps liable to compromise the future of united Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty.
Israel must refrain from freezing construction in Jewish neighborhoods in east Jerusalem, where nearly half of Jerusalem's Jews live.
Under the Obama administration, even though most construction in those neighborhoods was frozen, it did not bring the parties any closer to a peaceful resolution. Israeli enforcement of the rule of law should continue to address all necessary issues, including illegal building, tax collection, municipal fees, and fighting crime. This will strengthen Israeli sovereignty over eastern Jerusalem, and the peaceful coexistence between all citizens – Jews, Muslims, and Christians.
One positive stabilizing sign is the Biden administration's commitment not to roll back the reality of the US Embassy in Jerusalem and the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Yet, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken insists that neither party "takes steps that make the already difficult process even more challenging."
Even when one considers the option of a two-state solution, it must not include the disastrous division of Jerusalem into two capitals – due to historical, religious, social, safety and practical factors.
Those who support Israel and united Jerusalem must adopt strategies to positively impact public opinion, to ensure that failed and dangerous narratives regarding an Arab capital in Jerusalem are not reintroduced.
The following points can help to improve, educate and advocate for keeping Jerusalem united and secure.
The concept of a divided Jerusalem has major negatives. It impacts religious rights – Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people for over 3,000 years – and never of any Arab or other entity. The only period when Jews did not live in the Old City was during Jordan's illegal occupation of the city between 1948-67, whenthe Jewish quarter was destroyed, and the Jews were not allowed to visit their holiest sites even for prayer.
There is also the question of security: placing major parts of the holy city, including almost all the strategic high ground in Jerusalem and its surroundings under Arab sovereignty, would present severe security risks to all residents and visitors.
Unfettered unrest and radicalism in a divided Jerusalem would quickly embolden jihadists to export their ideology to the US and its allies.
Social and security unrest would cause large numbers of residents to leave Jerusalem permanently, thus weakening the morale of the entire country. Tourism would drop drastically and the city's economy would cave. This, in turn, will undermine urban development – In a divided Jerusalem, urban development and growth would be stifled.
A united Jerusalem, however, is an asset for all peace-loving people: Israel assists America in intelligence-gathering and covert operations, as well as limiting the success of radical nationalist movements. Therefore, a weakened Jerusalem significantly weakens Israel and its value to the US.
A united Jerusalem benefit Christians:A large portion of the American Christian public feels strongly that Jerusalem must remain under Israeli control and sovereignty.
As seen recently, Christian holy sites in Muslim-controlled areas are often destroyed. Only Israel can guarantee that Jerusalem remains an open city, embracing all religions with holy sites freely accessible to all.
Let's not forget that a united Jerusalem actually benefits Arabs, as well. International surveys of Arabs living in Jerusalem repeatedly show that most Arab residents of Jerusalem do not wish to be under Palestinian Authority rule or controled by Hamas, under which they would lose freedoms, financial stability, and other Israeli benefits.
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Dividing Jerusalem would imperil the jobs of over 40,000 Arabs living in east Jerusalem, who work in the city at salaries often four-times higher than in PA-controlled areas.
It is crucial to make all of the above as widely known as possible, for the benefit of peace-loving citizens of all religious beliefs and backgrounds in the Middle East and beyond. It will strengthen America's pro-Israel, pro-Arab and pro-US policies, and will prevent repeating past failed policies.
Dr. Shmuel Katz served as an officer in the Six-Day War, and is a fellow of the Israeli Surgical Society and of the American College of Surgeons. He is on the board of many pro-Israel organizations.
Chaim Silberstein is Chairman of the Keep Jerusalem-Im Eshkachech advocacy organization and was formerly a senior adviser to Israel's Minister of Tourism.
