Al-Quds: History, Religion, and Politics.

• Author: Awaisi, Abd al Fattah El

Al-Quds, known by various names, is a holy region of significant importance for three major religious traditions, namely Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the region has become the center of territorial and political disputes that deepened with the controversial 2018 decision of then-president Donald Trump to move the U.S. embassy from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem. This so-called "Deal of the Century" was his election pledge for Jewish lobbyists and elites in the U.S. -it has garnered criticism from the international community for being unlawful, void, and unjust. In Al-Quds: History, Religion, and Politics, the authors aim to provide insight into the long-term conflict, from the time of Abraham, considered the father of the three main faiths, to the present day.

The book consists of three main parts: "Historical and Religious Background," "Theoretical and Legal Framework," and "Political Developments and Current Problems." In the first part, the contributing authors focus on the history and religion of the region, scrutinizing the meanings and origins of its different names, examining the image of Jerusalem as the capital of blessing and faith, and presenting a chronological overview of the region's changes and developments. Although the region has been variously called Bayt al-Maqdis, Aelia Capitolina, al-Quds, and Jerusalem, throughout its long history, it has always retained its special religious status. However, as the authors note, the region was a land of peace, justice, and stability only when it was under Muslim control. This fact lays the foundation for understanding the current conflicts.

The second part provides a legal perspective on the status of al-Quds and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the light of international law. The authors continue portraying the region as a land of peace under Muslim control, this time with a model called Aman, by quoting Qur'an verses and comparing those golden days with the status of al-Quds as a place of horror under Zionist occupation. The authors demonstrate how Israel is aggressively occupying Palestinian lands, demolishing historical structures, and systematically applying its plan to be the sole ruler of the land. The facts that the actions of the Israeli government are against the UN Partition Plan for Palestine and constitute a breach of international law are clarified by the authors. The authors examine the approach of the UN and evaluate Trump's 2018...