Expert: Trump’s decision hurts Mideast peace process

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The suggestion by a senior American diplomat that the United Nations has caused more harm to the situation in the Middle East than President Donald Trump's decision on the Israeli capital has been disputed by a Chinese expert.

“The UN has done much more damage to the prospects of Middle East peace, than to advance them,” Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations said on Friday during an emergency meeting at the UN Security Council where the Americans were isolated.

The meeting was called after Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Wednesday and said he would start the process of moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv.

A Palestinian reacts as others behind him carry the body of Mohammed Abu Ghannam, who was shot dead during clashes with Israeli forces, in the Al-Tur area of east Jerusalem, on July 21. /VCG Photo

Following Trump’s announcement, at least one was killed and 14 others injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza on Friday, and two civilians died and hundreds were injured in Palestinian 'Day of Rage' protests.

So, at this stage, who’s putting peace between Israel and the Palestinians at risk? Research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, He Wenping, says Haley is not on firm ground.

"The US ambassador to the UN has hit a wrong target," she said. "Because we’ve seen very clearly that after Donald Trump’s announcement, all kinds of protests were triggered. So I think the US president’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital has given a big blow to the peace process in the Middle East region.”

Israeli security forces detain a Palestinian protester during clashes following prayers outside Jerusalem's Old City on July 21. /VCG Photo

As one of the oldest cities in the world, Jerusalem is considered a holy city by the three major Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Since the mid-20th century, both Israelis and Palestinians have been claiming the city as their capital.

“The UN resolution passed in the year of 1947 made it clear that Jerusalem is belonging to both Palestinians and Israel. Before, there was no single country that had established their embassy in that city,” He Wenping said.