Trump and Netanyahu Unveil Middle East Plan

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced at the White House a proposal for addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on January 28. The plan proposes a two-state solution and redraws the Israeli-Palestinian border significantly.

Israel and Palestine have fought over their shared border for decades. While Israel has occupied Palestine since 1967, Palestine has had limited self-governance since the signing of the Oslo Accords in the 1990s. The unclear borders created by the agreement, however, has led to continued conflict, centered particularly around Israeli settlements in the West Bank and control of Jerusalem. 

The proposed U.S.-Israeli plan exceeds the Oslo Accords by offering recognition of Palestine’s statehood. The plan, however, significantly modifies the border between Israel and Palestine. During the Obama administration, peace discussions mainly focused around the 1967 borders, which were in place before the Six Day War. In contrast, the new plan proposes that the border around the West Bank be constricted considerably compared with the 1967 borders. Furthermore, the West Bank’s border is made irregular and jagged. This reflects the plan’s recognition of Israeli settlements as part of Israel, in conflict with previous UN resolutions stating that such settlements violate international law. 

Also, according to the terms of the proposal, Israel would be granted complete control over Jerusalem. This departs from the 1967 border, which allots Palestine control of the eastern portion of the city. In past peace negotiations, control of the eastern part of Jerusalem has been a major concern for the Palestinians. 

Palestinian leaders were not present at the proposal’s unveiling and were not involved in its drafting process. Following the unveiling, they rejected the proposal. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas labeled it “the slap of the century” and proclaimed that it will end up in “the dustbin of history.” 

The lack of Palestinian involvement in the creation of the plan has received significant criticism. "There was no meaningful consultation with the Palestinians over the past two years, and the result is a plan that would be very difficult for any Palestinian leader to accept and defend to their people," Dan Shapiro, former-ambassador to Israel during the Obama administration, told Business Insider.

The immediate Palestinian rejection might have been expected. However, Trump does not seem eager to renegotiate on the Palestinians’ terms.

“After 70 years of little progress, this could be the last opportunity [the Palestinians] will ever have,” Trump said at the White House unveiling. 

Given the Palestinian rejection of the U.S.-Israeli plan, it is unlikely that the United States and Israel will try to court the Palestinians into some form of compromise.