Palestine – putting pragmatism before ideals, for now

Another intifada in Palestine over Trump’s unthinkable and almost certainly un-thought-through proclamation of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital seems unlikely at present. Those on the inside say that: Gaza is hopeful of an easing of the siege imposed by Israel and Egypt, which will bring a much-needed boost to the local economy. The West Bank wants to maintain security coordination with Israel, which helps keep Hamas out and President Abbas in control. At least half the families in the West Bank are reliant in some way on the Israeli economy. There is plenty of Palestinian despair and anger at lack of any prospect of an end to the occupation. But there is also a war-weariness and the necessity of making a living.

Gaza, 9 November 1917 9am, could be into a more hopeful phase with tr Pluto trine the Solar Arc Jupiter at least economically in 2018/2019. There’ll still be disappointments aplenty for the population who look emotionally underwhelmed but nothing too violent.

Hamas, 14 December 1987, were certainly shaken up badly by the announcement and although they’ll have moments of bullish confidence in 2018 and feelings are certainly running high in 2018/19, they don’t look as if they have the will for an all-out attack.

The Palestine Independence Declaration, 15 November 1988, is on its Saturn Return so pragmatism will reign, despite setbacks later this month and a fair amount of emotional angst through 2018. But they should feel as if they are getting their act together by 2019/2020 with tr Pluto sextile their Scorpio Sun.

Hezbollah, located in the Lebanon, are in a different ball game, supported by Iran. They are facing an extremely disconcerting and undermining 2019 with Solar Arc Sun square Neptune and Solar Arc Saturn conjunct Neptune. So they may be part of the larger strategic push by Mohammed bin Salman to push Iran into a corner. Aided and abetted by Israel who don’t want Iran proxies on their doorstep.

Which brings us back to the initial mystery of what MbS, best buddies with Kushner, who made an unrecorded visit to Riyadh before this declaration was made, is up to. Despite Saudi Arabia’s criticism of Trump, it seems unlikely it would have gone ahead without his say so. Trump couldn’t care less about Jerusalem or biblical prophecies, except in so far as they please his wealthy donors and some lunatic Rapture supporters.

MbS’s relationship with Kushner will start to fray from April 2018 onwards – though that could be because of Kushner’s domestic problems catching up with him, as well as a changing situation on the ground.