YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The decision of US President Donald Trump to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel can create one more hub of instability in the Middle East.

Armen Petrosyan, expert on Arabic studies, told Armenpress that Trump’s such step is dangerous and can lead to negative consequences.

“We may witness unpredictable complaints from Palestinains, as well as deterioration of relations between some countries and Israel, US, the possibility of rebellion. Moreover, the US reputation can face decline in the Arab-Islamic world. This step contributes to the failure of the US mediation role in the settlement of the Palestinian conflict. By such unilateral decision the US is out of the process, it’s a pro-Israeli decision. It also violates the norms of international law. There is a UN resolution with regard to Jerusalem according to which as long as the conflict is unresolved, the city should remain neutral”, Armen Petrosyan said.

The expert on Arabic studies stated that Trump by this decision tries to be different from the former governments, authorities and say something new in the decades-long conflict.

“This step creates a new hub of instability. On the background of dissatisfaction, attacks on the US diplomatic representations are also possible. It’s necessary to understand that Jerusalem is one of the sensitive issues for the Arab-Muslim world. It was not a coincidence that in the recent period some Arab countries became more active in the diplomatic field trying to prevent that step. In my opinion, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is a decision of a narrower group. I don’t think that all foreign policy actors agree on this decision”, he said, adding that Russia and China can use this situation to strengthen their positions in the region.

Israel faces difficult times. From the first site it seems that the US decision is positive, but, according to the expert, it’s obvious that a serious political, diplomatic campaign will launch against Israel.

“In any case declaring Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by the US doesn’t mean that the world acknowledges it. It’s less likely that the major world powers will take that step”, Armen Petrosyan said.