Abu Dis is not enthusiastic about the century deal: "We will never be Jerusalem"

Trump's plan seeks to put Abu Dis, whose separation barrier has left it outside Jerusalem, and declare it the future Palestinian state capital, under its branding as al-Quds. Residents, who suffer from crime and neglect, do not welcome the proposal. "They'll eventually get rid of us"

Abu Dis is not enthusiastic about the century deal: "We will never be Jerusalem"

(In video: West Bank clashes against century deal, yesterday)

Nobody seems to invest much thought in the Palestinian town of Abu Dis, not even its mayor, who has trouble explaining why he chose this position. "In truth, I don't know," testified Mayor Ahmed Ben Hilal in an interview with the Guardian. "There's a lot of crime and drugs."

While families were still living in a village with spectacular views overlooking the golden rock dome and the Mount of Olives, Abu Dis residents used to cross the valley on their way to Jerusalem to sell sheep, goats and cheese. Now, an eight-foot wall blocks what used to be the town's skyline. More importantly, the separation fence cut off the town's 30,000 residents from their fields and their holy city.

More in Walla! NEWS

The skyline was interrupted by the wall. The separation fence crosses the road to Jerusalem, Abu Dis (Photo: Reuters)

The Dome of the Rock, as it looks from the Palestinian town of Abu Dis, near the separation fence on January 29, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

After years of neglect, U.S. President Donald Trump wants to put this secluded town, with derelict streets and closed shops, back on the map. The peace plan he introduced this week, known as the "Century Deal," seeks to rebrand Abu Dis, as part of the entire region, as the future Palestinian state capital.

The plan, which was rejected by almost all the Palestinian leadership, was criticized on the grounds that it gives Israel control over the territories occupied by it. However, in an effort to address the Palestinian demands, Trump promised to declare East Jerusalem as the Palestinian state capital.

The proposal, spread over 181 pages, lists the limitations under which that state will be established, in enclaves completely surrounded by Israeli territory, without its own army and with continued Israeli control over land, air and sea. Critics point out that the IDF will continue to have the ability to invade the territories of the Palestinian state, with both Israel and the United States having the right to veto Palestinian moves en route to independence.

The reaction of Arab states to the century deal has shown that the Palestinians no longer care about them

Palestinians watch Trump's announcement at Abu Dis cafe this week (Photo: Reuters)

Palestinians watch Trump's announcement at a cafe in Abu Dis near Jerusalem on January 28, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

Another deception, which critics have implied from Trump's speech, is the fulfillment of the Palestinians' long-standing desire for capital in East Jerusalem. This proposal raised high levels from Abu Dis residents, who describe their home as a separate city from Jerusalem, or at its most suburban, and at least not the historic city in which Palestinians aspire to establish their government headquarters. Israel also does not consider Abu Dis as part of its "united capital" - a term used by Trump in his speech - and the town is considered outside the capital's municipal boundaries.

Paradoxically, the "century deal" offers Palestinians to consider renaming Abu Dis to Jerusalem's Arabic name, al-Quds, a nickname given to it because of its holy sites. This, although none of these sites are in Abu Dis itself.

"Israel - the spoiled child of Americans"

In the town's sleepy main square, Yishai Eid, 53, sells fruits and vegetables in a dark room. "Abu Dis will never be Jerusalem. Abu Dis is Abu Dis and Jerusalem is Jerusalem," he said, with a cigarette in his hand and a mustache.

Eid used to work as a guard at a mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem, but Israel did not renew its transit permit. Now, he can see the city from up the hill, but not enter it. "Eventually, they will be rid of us," Eid said of the government, accusing him of "Israel being the spoiled child of Americans."

Neglected streets, closed shops and crime. Abu Dis (Photo: Reuters)

Palestinian town of Abu Dis in East Jerusalem area on January 29, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

Trump's plan for Abu Dis revives an idea that emerged in the 1990s to house the Palestinian parliament in the town. The proposal was that it would operate during an interim period, before a full peace agreement was signed between the parties. Most of the structure has already been built, but it has never been opened, as part of the Palestinians' opposition to the move marking Abu Dis as their future capital.

According to Ben Hilal, who admits he was not interested in promoting him to the mayor, Abu Dis has no aspirations for greatness yet. "We refuse it. Jerusalem is the Palestinian capital," he said, facing the town map.

He said Trump has been implementing a plan that has represented the Israeli government's ambitions for decades by isolating Palestinians in smaller enclaves and giving Israel more territory. He added that the separation fence had already separated family members, forcing Abu Dis's farmers to give up their occupation.

"Abu Dis is Abu Dis and Jerusalem is Jerusalem." View of the town next to the separation fence (Photo: Reuters)

The separation fence near the Palestinian town of Abu Dis in the East Jerusalem area on January 29, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

While in Israel, the Likud and White Blue welcomed the plan and declared their support for applying sovereignty in the Occupied Territories, the Palestinians condemned Trump. "Your agreement, your plot, will not pass," Palestinian Authority Chairman Abu Mazen stated.

In the Gaza Strip, a Hamas official said the organization would never accept the plan, which includes disarmament. "They will not take (our weapons) unless they destroy the Palestinian people," Ismail Mailan told the Guardian. At the same time, in the streets of Gaza, thousands of Palestinians have come out in recent days to protest against the "century deal" as they burn tires and block streets.