Biden Backs Palestinians

 

Joe Biden is planning a visit to Israel in June. A recent report claims that while here, he will visit the eastern section of Jerusalem in a clear message of support for establishing a Palestinian capital in the Jews’ eternal capital. CNN reported recently that Biden’s office had announced unfinalized plans for the visit to the eastern section of Jerusalem. Biden may visit Al Makassed Hospital, located on the Mount of Olives. It is the largest Palestinian medical center in Jerusalem. Nearly 80% of the hospital employees are residents of the West Bank who have special permits to enter Israel. No US president has ever visited this section of Jerusalem  This stands in stark contrast to President Trump, who prayed at the Western Wall. In addition, the Biden administration had pledged to reopen a consulate for Palestinians in the eastern section of Jerusalem after Trump closed the consulate when he moved the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Barry Shaw, a Senior Associate at the Israel Institute for Strategic Studies, criticized Biden’s decision: “He has demanded that he will not be accompanied by any Israeli official but will meet members of the Palestinian Authority who have been permitted to administer certain hospitals and schools in east Jerusalem but who insist that their capital will be in Israel’s undivided and sovereign capital, Jerusalem, even though their government and administrative…offices are in Ramallah.” “This is a devious way for Biden and his State Department to get back at Israel and drive a wedge into Israel’s legitimate and exclusive sovereign rights over its Jerusalem capital, following Israel’s refusal to allow the State Department to open a US consulate there to serve Palestinians.” . . .  An official from the [Palestinian] hospital was quoted as saying that Biden’s visit would be a powerfully symbolic gesture of unity with the Palestinian fight against Israel. “We have also been treating many Palestinians killed or injured by the Israeli army and police,” the source added. “That’s why many people identify us with the Palestinian cause.”