Few Middle East analysts expect an Israeli-Palestinian deal anytime soon. But the Trump plan could have long-lasting consequences.
President Donald Trump’s Mideast peace proposal may be dead on arrival, as critics like to say. But the plan could also have the long-term effect of seriously circumscribing — at a minimum — future U.S. attempts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The proposal unveiled Tuesday, which was overseen by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, is heavily sided toward Israel. Although it does not rule out a future Palestinian state as some feared, it lays out tough conditions for Palestinians to meet before being granted statehood. And the vision for the state’s borders is highly unlikely to be accepted by the Palestinians.
Standing beside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the president said Tuesday that the plan, titled “Peace to Prosperity,” was a “win-win” path for both sides. But he also warned that his proposal “could be the last opportunity” for the Palestinians to achieve their goals after more than 70 years of conflict. Continue reading.