Trump dangles Middle East peace plan to limit Jerusalem outcry

[webfact]

Trump dangles Middle East peace plan to limit Jerusalem outcry

By Matt Spetalnick and Steve Holland

 

With Vice Pence Mike Pence looking on, President Donald Trump gives a statement on Jerusalem, during which he recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - When President Donald Trump told the Palestinian president of his intention to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, he assured him a peace plan being put together would please the Palestinians, officials said, an apparent effort to limit fallout over his break with longtime U.S. policy.

 

Trump’s phone call to Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday, the day before he made his bombshell announcement on Jerusalem,

appeared to shed new light on behind-the-scenes efforts by White House advisers to craft a peace blueprint expected to be rolled out in the first half of 2018 but which has now been thrown into doubt because of an angry outcry across the Middle East.

 

With Palestinians declaring it will be difficult for the United States to act as an honest broker after essentially siding with Israel on one of the central disputes in the conflict, administration officials said they expected a “cooling-off period.”

 

Trump’s team, led by his son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, will press on with development of a plan to serve as the foundation for renewed Israeli–Palestinian negotiations, hoping the furore will blow over and that any pause in diplomatic contacts with the Palestinians will not last long, U.S. officials said.

 

But amid protests in the Palestinian territories and uncertainty about whether the Palestinians will stay engaged in the peace effort, one U.S. official said the process could still be disrupted.

 

“If they are still saying they’re not going to talk, we’re not going to do it then,” the official said.

 

Washington's major Western and Arab allies have warned that Trump's decision on Jerusalem could doom attempts to achieve what the U.S. president has called the “ultimate deal” of Israeli-Palestinian peace.

 

Details of the negotiating framework have yet to be finalised and there is little indication of tangible progress.

 

But officials said it would deal with all the major issues, including Jerusalem, borders, security, the future of Jewish settlements on occupied land and the fate of Palestinian refugees, and would also call for Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states to provide significant financial support to the Palestinians.

 

In his call to Abbas on Tuesday, Trump sought to temper the blow from his Jerusalem announcement by stressing that the Palestinians stood to gain from the peace plan that Kushner and U.S. Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt were crafting, according to two U.S. and two Palestinian officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

 

IMPORTANT SETTLEMENT

 

Trump told Abbas, a Western-backed moderate, that the final peace blueprint would offer the Palestinians an important settlement that they would be pleased with, but did not provide specifics, the sources said.

 

Abbas told Trump in response that any peace process must result in the Palestinians having their capital in East Jerusalem, a Palestinian official said. Israel captured East Jerusalem in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and later annexed it in a move not recognised internationally.

 

A senior U.S. official said Trump told Abbas he wanted to discuss the issues in person and invited him to visit the White House, although the timing was unclear.

 

Palestinians have grown increasingly concerned that any plan Trump unveils will shortchange them, a fear that deepened with Trump’s formal endorsement of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, upending decades of U.S. policy that the ancient city’s status must be decided in negotiations.

 

Jerusalem is home to sites holy to Muslims, Jews and Christians.

 

Kushner, who had no government or diplomatic experience before joining his father-in-law’s White House, has mostly kept his discussions under wraps.

 

U.S. officials say Kushner backed Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and order the eventual relocation of the U.S. Embassy there from Tel Aviv, although he was aware of the potential for complicating his peace efforts.

 

But one White House official said that because the peace effort had not yet led to negotiations between the two sides, Kushner’s team believed the initial outcry over the Jerusalem decision could eventually be overcome.

 

The official said the plan, which he described as comprehensive and going beyond frameworks put forth by previous U.S. administrations, would likely be unveiled before the middle of next year.

 

A key test of keeping the peace efforts on track will be whether Abbas goes ahead with a scheduled meeting with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence when he visits the region in mid-December. A senior Palestinian official said on Thursday that Pence was “unwelcome in Palestine.”

 

Trump, the officials said, had insisted that U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital was not meant to prejudge the outcome of future negotiations on that issue or others between the two sides.

 

U.S. officials acknowledged that Trump’s Jerusalem moves could also put a damper on cooperation from Arab states such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, which the administration is trying to enlist in the peace process.

 

They contended, however, that the broader Arab world was also concerned about keeping Trump involved in confronting Iran and fighting Islamic State militants and was therefore unlikely to remain disengaged for long from efforts to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

 

One U.S. official said the Palestinians were in such a weak position that they would ultimately have no choice but to stay involved in U.S.-led peace efforts.

 

Another argument that Trump’s aides will likely make to Palestinians is that having granted Israel recognition of its claim to Jerusalem, the U.S. leader might now have more leverage for seeking concessions later on from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the U.S. official said.

 

(Additional reporting by Samia Nakhoul in Beirut and Ali Sawafta in Ramallah; Editing by Yara Bayoumy and and Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-12-08

[Briggsy]

The secret peace plan without any details! What a joke this guy is. Save it for reality tv. Trump has business interests in Israel. That is his only priority.

[Morch]

6 hours ago, Briggsy said:

The secret peace plan without any details! What a joke this guy is. Save it for reality tv. Trump has business interests in Israel. That is his only priority.

 

Not saying that the mystery peace plan is a winner, as no details are available. On the other hand, keeping things under wraps is not entirely a bad thing - less room for extremist and rejectionist factions and parties to get geared up into an effective opposition. Problem with that is the time frame - so much can happen between now and March/April next year, that it can all go tits up regardless of how good a plan it may be.

 

I don't think Trump currently got any major business interests in Israel, Kushner is another story.

[Bluespunk]

Trump, the prime example of a politician who has absolutely no idea what he is doing, yet refuses to admit it. 

 

Nothing but bluster, bs, knee jerk actions and saying the first thing that comes into his head to defend himself. 

 

I would call him a Rottweiler, except he lacks their charm and tact. 

 

The man’s a disgrace. 

Edited December 8, 2017 by Bluespunk

[Srikcir]

How can one devise a peace plan without consulting with the Palestinians?

To me saying the plan is secret (and always a possibility there's communication between Kushner and Netanyahu government) means it's not something Abbas will easily accept. Or any of US Middle East allies (Turkey, Jordon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia) if not also consulted.

One cannot discount Russia from also making its own proposal now that the US has caused a rift with its M.E. allies.

[Morch]

5 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

How can one devise a peace plan without consulting with the Palestinians?

To me saying the plan is secret (and always a possibility there's communication between Kushner and Netanyahu government) means it's not something Abbas will easily accept. Or any of US Middle East allies (Turkey, Jordon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia) if not also consulted.

One cannot discount Russia from also making its own proposal now that the US has caused a rift with its M.E. allies.

 

People on the Trump administration negotiation team did meet with the Palestinians, numerous times. As far as I am aware, neither side is in full possession of the plan's exact details. There were some cautionary remarks on that made by Netanyahu while addressing coalition partners and government ministers. Similar meetings were held with US ME allies (mostly Saudi Arabia and Jordan, and to a lesser degree Egypt and the UAE).

 

The point of keeping things "secret" is more about not letting forces (from either side) bound to oppose an agreement have a head start undoing it before its presented.

 

One can discount Russia making its own proposal now, as Russia is not readily accepted by other side as a substitute, nor did it engage significantly in any preparatory diplomatic work. Russia is currently finding sorting things in Syria to be a sobering experience, doubt its in any hurry to be fully involved in yet another quagmire.

 

 

[khounteen]

We cannot recognise Jerusalem due to some nomads imposing their views on us? Why must we bend to some nomad's views?

[ilostmypassword]

1 hour ago, khounteen said:

We cannot recognise Jerusalem due to some nomads imposing their views on us? Why must we bend to some nomad's views?

So Arabs are mostly nomads? What's your source for that notion? Lawrence of Arabia?.

[Galactus]

5 hours ago, khounteen said:

We cannot recognise Jerusalem due to some nomads imposing their views on us? Why must we bend to some nomad's views?

no you cant. bc it is stolen land from palestinians. and all the world is watching who is imposing! 

anyway, if some israelis want to build a capital on a stolen land of others, fine,  you are free to live in this honorless stage. pretty much like some petty thieves and fully accepting the fact that israel is a rogue state.

and millenniums will pass and this fact will stick on 'you' (whoever you are. zionists whatsoever) like a bubble gum.

Edited December 8, 2017 by Galactus

[Grouse]

5 hours ago, khounteen said:

We cannot recognise Jerusalem due to some nomads imposing their views on us? Why must we bend to some nomad's views?

Because I say so

[pegman]

So Trump thinks by putting a couple of radical Zionists in charge of brokering a deal it will be seen as fair. What is it that one is called when they believe their own BS? 

There is one way this gets resolved and it is after a lengthy campaign of  Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions.

[Jingthing]

56 minutes ago, pegman said:

So Trump thinks by putting a couple of radical Zionists in charge of brokering a deal it will be seen as fair. What is it that one is called when they believe their own BS? 

There is one way this gets resolved and it is after a lengthy campaign of  Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions.

BDS against the USA? 

 

 

[DogNo1]

By whom was Jerusalem stolen and when? What about the Sancta Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople?    By whom was that stolen?  Double standard regarding victors of wars?

[Redline]

11 hours ago, Morch said:

 

Not saying that the mystery peace plan is a winner, as no details are available. On the other hand, keeping things under wraps is not entirely a bad thing - less room for extremist and rejectionist factions and parties to get geared up into an effective opposition. Problem with that is the time frame - so much can happen between now and March/April next year, that it can all go tits up regardless of how good a plan it may be.

 

I don't think Trump currently got any major business interests in Israel, Kushner is another story.

Prospective deals 

[Morch]

8 hours ago, Galactus said:

no you cant. bc it is stolen land from palestinians. and all the world is watching who is imposing! 

anyway, if some israelis want to build a capital on a stolen land of others, fine,  you are free to live in this honorless stage. pretty much like some petty thieves and fully accepting the fact that israel is a rogue state.

and millenniums will pass and this fact will stick on 'you' (whoever you are. zionists whatsoever) like a bubble gum.

 

Jerusalem wasn't "stolen". Certainly not from the Palestinians.

Israel is by no means a "rouge state", regardless of certain posters' wishful thinking.

[Morch]

7 hours ago, pegman said:

So Trump thinks by putting a couple of radical Zionists in charge of brokering a deal it will be seen as fair. What is it that one is called when they believe their own BS? 

There is one way this gets resolved and it is after a lengthy campaign of  Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions.

 

I don't know what counts as a "radical Zionist", but doubt it actually applies for either Kushner or Greenblatt. Doesn't make their appointment wise, of course. As for the usual B(d)S mantra - is this now a call to boycott the USA? A call for selectively applying pressure on one of the sides, right after whining about the very same?

[Morch]

5 hours ago, Redline said:

Prospective deals 

 

Do tell.

[Bluespunk]

14 hours ago, khounteen said:

We cannot recognise Jerusalem due to some nomads imposing their views on us? Why must we bend to some nomad's views?

Whereas Israel occupying east jurusalem imposed nothing on anyone. 

 

I support Israel’s right to exist and have a say in how Jerusalem is governed and by whom.

 

However the Palestinians have the same rights. 

[dexterm]

1 hour ago, Morch said:

 

I don't know what counts as a "radical Zionist", but doubt it actually applies for either Kushner or Greenblatt. Doesn't make their appointment wise, of course. As for the usual B(d)S mantra - is this now a call to boycott the USA? A call for selectively applying pressure on one of the sides, right after whining about the very same?

With US Ambassador to Israel Friedman, son-in-law Kushner, and advisor Greenblatt, all supporters of illegal settlements in an illegal occupation, the first two actually financing them, hardly displays the credentials of neutral diplomats negotiating a major issue in the peace process.

Like dividing up a pizza while you are busy eating it.

[pegman]

4 minutes ago, dexterm said:

With US Ambassador to Israel Friedman, son-in-law Kushner, and advisor Greenblatt, all supporters of illegal settlements in an illegal occupation, the first two actually financing them, hardly displays the credentials of neutral diplomats negotiating a major issue in the peace process.

Like dividing up a pizza while you are busy eating it.

Bingo!

[Morch]

1 minute ago, dexterm said:

With US Ambassador to Israel Friedman, son-in-law Kushner, and advisor Greenblatt, all supporters of illegal settlements in an illegal occupation, the first two actually financing them, hardly displays the credentials of neutral diplomats negotiating a major issue in the peace process.

Like dividing up a pizza while you are busy eating it.

 

Friedman wasn't mentioned in the post I replied to, and not much argument there. With regard to Kushner and Greenblatt, I do realize that as far as you are concerned anyone having anything to do with the illegal Israeli settlements is a "radical Zionist", but that doesn't actually make it so. As for all appointments being problematic, rather obvious - and was extensively commented about. That's not quite the same thing, though.

[Morch]

Just now, pegman said:

Bingo!

 

How?

[pegman]

7 hours ago, Jingthing said:

BDS against the USA? 

 

 

Israel, same as what the Commonwealth, excluding the apartheid loving UK, did to bring about change in South Africa. 

[pegman]

5 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

Friedman wasn't mentioned in the post I replied to, and not much argument there. With regard to Kushner and Greenblatt, I do realize that as far as you are concerned anyone having anything to do with the illegal Israeli settlements is a "radical Zionist", but that doesn't actually make it so. As for all appointments being problematic, rather obvious - and was extensively commented about. That's not quite the same thing, though.

That opinion was mine which I'm entitled to as you are yours. I see myself as an unbiased WASP on this subject who is extremely tired of the one-sided reporting in the North American media. 

[geriatrickid]

On 12/7/2017 at 9:01 PM, Briggsy said:

The secret peace plan without any details! What a joke this guy is. Save it for reality tv. Trump has business interests in Israel. That is his only priority.

What are those business interests. You make the claim, now please    substantiate the  claim. 

To help you out, 

- The United  Arab Emirates  is an arab country. The tipoff is in the  Arab part of the name. 

[Briggsy]

26 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

What are those business interests. You make the claim, now please    substantiate the  claim. 

To help you out, 

- The United  Arab Emirates  is an arab country. The tipoff is in the  Arab part of the name. 

http://time.com/4629308/donald-trump-business-deals-world-map/

 

And then you can add in Kushner's interests and those of Trump's major donors.

 

I don't know why you have included the UAE in your post The occupied Palestinian territories and the UAE are a very long distance apart both geographically and politically. Do you think all Arabs are a homogenous mass?

[Sir Swagman]

5 hours ago, Morch said:

 

Jerusalem wasn't "stolen". Certainly not from the Palestinians.

Israel is by no means a "rouge state", regardless of certain posters' wishful thinking.

Regardless of the colour of the state, rouge normally reserved for more the socialist types, parts of Jerusalem at least came under Israeli control as a result of war action. Israel itself was established as a result of the Balfour Declaration (an aside here is that Lord Balfour is the reason for the expression 'Bob's your uncle') No consultation with occupants of the area was carried out and the colonizer attitude of decreeing from afar was seen as good enough. Trump's 'let's piss off one of the parties involved and then tell them how peace is going to work' has about as much chance of success (well less really) as all other attempts to broker a deal. Otherwise he is acting exactly as one did dealing with 'inferior types' (in his mind perhaps) a century or more ago. Onya Don.......

[Jingthing]

4 hours ago, pegman said:

That opinion was mine which I'm entitled to as you are yours. I see myself as an unbiased WASP on this subject who is extremely tired of the one-sided reporting in the North American media. 

Sorry, nice try, but with the inflamed rhetoric you use, I'm not buying your claim of lack of bias for one second. 

[Morch]

5 hours ago, pegman said:

Israel, same as what the Commonwealth, excluding the apartheid loving UK, did to bring about change in South Africa. 

 

So, Trump makes a decision on behalf of the USA, and you call for action against Israel...yeah, there's a logic to it. Sure. Other than Israel not being South Africa, a bit of reading will teach you that the sanctions were less instrumental in regime change than advocates claim.

[Morch]

5 hours ago, pegman said:

That opinion was mine which I'm entitled to as you are yours. I see myself as an unbiased WASP on this subject who is extremely tired of the one-sided reporting in the North American media. 

 

Anyone can have an opinion, it doesn't make all opinions have the same value, though. You haven't explained the reasoning for said "opinion", and as for being "unbiased", pull the other one.