27 jan 2020
Former IDF chief calls for shared dialogue with Palestinians and neighboring countries; suggests release of Israeli captives in Gaza should be included in peace plan
Blue & White Chairman Benny Gantz said on Monday that he will work to implement Trump's peace plan for the Middle East immediately after the elections in March.
"The president's peace plan is a significant and historic milestone, indeed," Gantz told reporters at his Washington hotel after his meeting with Trump. "Immediately after the elections, I will work toward implementing it from within a stable functioning Israeli government, in tandem with other countries in our region."
Gantz said he and Trump discussed "matters of the utmost importance to Israel's future and security," but he would not disclose any further details for the time being.
"During the meeting, we talked about the importance of a shared dialogue with the Palestinians, the other countries in the region and Jordanian King Abdullah II," said Gantz.
Gantz thanked Trump for his "deep support and for the citizens and security of Israel, especially with the U.S. assistance against the Iranian threat and its proxies, recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and moving the American embassy to Jerusalem."
The former IDF chief said that he emphasized the issue of the Israelis held in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, stressing that their release should be included in the plan.
Gantz also addressed Netanyahu's bid to score parliamentary immunity from graft charges he faces, which will be discussed on Tuesday at the Knesset plenum.
"No one has the right to lead an entire country at such complex times, both politically and security-wise, while he's completely dedicated to his personal interests."
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien were also present at the meeting.
After meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier Monday, Trump announced he will officially publish the plan's details on Tuesday.
Blue & White Chairman Benny Gantz said on Monday that he will work to implement Trump's peace plan for the Middle East immediately after the elections in March.
"The president's peace plan is a significant and historic milestone, indeed," Gantz told reporters at his Washington hotel after his meeting with Trump. "Immediately after the elections, I will work toward implementing it from within a stable functioning Israeli government, in tandem with other countries in our region."
Gantz said he and Trump discussed "matters of the utmost importance to Israel's future and security," but he would not disclose any further details for the time being.
"During the meeting, we talked about the importance of a shared dialogue with the Palestinians, the other countries in the region and Jordanian King Abdullah II," said Gantz.
Gantz thanked Trump for his "deep support and for the citizens and security of Israel, especially with the U.S. assistance against the Iranian threat and its proxies, recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and moving the American embassy to Jerusalem."
The former IDF chief said that he emphasized the issue of the Israelis held in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, stressing that their release should be included in the plan.
Gantz also addressed Netanyahu's bid to score parliamentary immunity from graft charges he faces, which will be discussed on Tuesday at the Knesset plenum.
"No one has the right to lead an entire country at such complex times, both politically and security-wise, while he's completely dedicated to his personal interests."
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien were also present at the meeting.
After meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier Monday, Trump announced he will officially publish the plan's details on Tuesday.
On Monday, the Commission of the Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege in Gaza, called for Palestinians to participate in national events rejecting the “Deal of the Century”, Shehab News Agency reported.
In a press statement, the commission encouraged all Palestinians to unite in total rejection of the so called “deal of the century“, set to be announced, on Tuesday, by US President, Donald Trump.
The statement further stated that the American plot will not succeed if there is a strong and unified national resistance, engaging local and international media outlets to intensify coverage of the events.
The head of the political bureau of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, requested an urgent meeting with the “Fatah” movement and other factions, in Cairo, for a unified response to the so-called “deal of the century”.
The revelation of the Trump “peace plan” coincides with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the US.
In a press statement, the commission encouraged all Palestinians to unite in total rejection of the so called “deal of the century“, set to be announced, on Tuesday, by US President, Donald Trump.
The statement further stated that the American plot will not succeed if there is a strong and unified national resistance, engaging local and international media outlets to intensify coverage of the events.
The head of the political bureau of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, requested an urgent meeting with the “Fatah” movement and other factions, in Cairo, for a unified response to the so-called “deal of the century”.
The revelation of the Trump “peace plan” coincides with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the US.
The forthcoming US Middle East peace plan, known as the “Deal of the Century,” includes a transition period of four years, as the US administration believes that Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian president will refuse the plan but his successor may accept it, Hebrew media reported, according to Al Ray.
The “deal” proposes the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state on 70% of occupied West Bank, with Shu’fat town, northeast of Jerusalem, as its capital.
According to details published, the plan allows Israel to annex 30% to 40% of Area C, while Palestinians will have control over about 40% of Areas A and B. This leaves the status of the remaining 30% of Area C unclear.
Under the Oslo Accords, the occupied West Bank are divided to three areas, A, B, and C. Area A constitutes 18% of the West Bank that is under Palestinian Authority control, and B area constitutes 21% of the West Bank which is under Palestinian administrative control and Israeli security control.
With Area C constituting 61% of the occupied West Bank and being under both Israeli administrative and security control, this means any Palestinian projects or measures will need Israeli approval.
During the transition period, Israel would be able to build in areas where settlements already exist, but will not be able to expand beyond its current borders. It will also ban the approval of new urban development plans for the expansion of industrial areas in the West Bank.
Palestinians will be able to declare an independent state, but with limited powers. It will be completely demilitarized, it will have no control over its aerial space or border crossings and will not be allowed to form alliances with other countries.
The plan suggests the construction of a tunnel connecting the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which will reportedly serve as a safe passage for Palestinians.
The site reported that this is a very sensitive issue which has not yet been examined by Israeli security authorities who will certainly have their reservations in ensuring that the tunnel will not be used to transfer weapons or individuals wanted for crimes against Israel.
The plan demands that the Palestinian Authority will regain full control over Gaza Strip and demilitarize the factions within it.
The deal leaves 15 settlements in small, isolated enclaves of Israeli sovereignty and settlers fear that they will have to evacuate their homes, at some point.
According to the deal, Jerusalem will remain entirely under Israeli sovereignty, including the Noble Sanctuary and other holy places that will be under the joint supervision of both Israelis and Palestinians.
The deal states that everything beyond the separation fence in Jerusalem will be transferred to the Palestinians, provided they accept the plan’s full outline.
Palestinians would not be able to annex territories unilaterally, like Israel in Area C.
The program also offers $50 billion in funding for projects in territories designated for the Palestinian state.
Sources close to the White House claim that the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman, and the other princes of the Persian Gulf countries have promised the US administration to donate money, in an effort to prevent the Palestinians from sabotaging the plan behind the scenes.
Palestinian officials have threatened to stop security coordination if Israel applies sovereignty over all of its settlements.
The “deal” proposes the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state on 70% of occupied West Bank, with Shu’fat town, northeast of Jerusalem, as its capital.
According to details published, the plan allows Israel to annex 30% to 40% of Area C, while Palestinians will have control over about 40% of Areas A and B. This leaves the status of the remaining 30% of Area C unclear.
Under the Oslo Accords, the occupied West Bank are divided to three areas, A, B, and C. Area A constitutes 18% of the West Bank that is under Palestinian Authority control, and B area constitutes 21% of the West Bank which is under Palestinian administrative control and Israeli security control.
With Area C constituting 61% of the occupied West Bank and being under both Israeli administrative and security control, this means any Palestinian projects or measures will need Israeli approval.
During the transition period, Israel would be able to build in areas where settlements already exist, but will not be able to expand beyond its current borders. It will also ban the approval of new urban development plans for the expansion of industrial areas in the West Bank.
Palestinians will be able to declare an independent state, but with limited powers. It will be completely demilitarized, it will have no control over its aerial space or border crossings and will not be allowed to form alliances with other countries.
The plan suggests the construction of a tunnel connecting the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which will reportedly serve as a safe passage for Palestinians.
The site reported that this is a very sensitive issue which has not yet been examined by Israeli security authorities who will certainly have their reservations in ensuring that the tunnel will not be used to transfer weapons or individuals wanted for crimes against Israel.
The plan demands that the Palestinian Authority will regain full control over Gaza Strip and demilitarize the factions within it.
The deal leaves 15 settlements in small, isolated enclaves of Israeli sovereignty and settlers fear that they will have to evacuate their homes, at some point.
According to the deal, Jerusalem will remain entirely under Israeli sovereignty, including the Noble Sanctuary and other holy places that will be under the joint supervision of both Israelis and Palestinians.
The deal states that everything beyond the separation fence in Jerusalem will be transferred to the Palestinians, provided they accept the plan’s full outline.
Palestinians would not be able to annex territories unilaterally, like Israel in Area C.
The program also offers $50 billion in funding for projects in territories designated for the Palestinian state.
Sources close to the White House claim that the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman, and the other princes of the Persian Gulf countries have promised the US administration to donate money, in an effort to prevent the Palestinians from sabotaging the plan behind the scenes.
Palestinian officials have threatened to stop security coordination if Israel applies sovereignty over all of its settlements.
A high-ranking Palestinian official has threatened that the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority would withdraw from key provisions of the Oslo Accords in the case that US President Donald Trump unveils his so-called “Deal of the Century” to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erekat said, on Sunday, that his organization reserves the right “to withdraw from the interim agreement” if Trump announces his plan.
Erekat added that the Trump initiative will turn Israel’s “temporary occupation (of Palestinian territories) into a permanent occupation.”
The Oslo Accords — consisting of Oslo I and Oslo II accords — were signed by late PLO chairman Yasser Arafat and former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, respectively in Washington DC, in 1993, and Taba, Egypt, in 1995. The purported goal of the accords was to achieve peace based on the United Nations Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 and to realize the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
The Palestinian foreign ministry issued a statement on Sunday, saying: “The US administration will not find a single Palestinian who supports this project,” and adding that “Trump’s plan is the plot of the century to liquidate the Palestinian cause.”
According to the statement, the Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Riad al-Malki, said that the Palestinian leadership is discussing practical steps with Arab countries to respond to the US plan at all levels.
According to WAFA news agency, the statement followed a meeting in Ramallah with Egyptian Ambassador to Palestine, Essam El-Din Ashour, in which the two sides discussed diplomatic moves to face the US administration’s decision to release the plan.
Malki stressed the unwavering position of Palestinian leadership in its rejection of the US administration’s decisions on Jerusalem al-Quds and the so-called “Deal of the Century.”
The Palestinian minister also lauded the international consensus on rejection of the US plan.
Meanwhile, Fateh movement also expressed its concerns over the increasing likelihood that the deal will be announced without consulting Palestinian leadership.
Fateh spokesman Jamal Nazzal said, on Sunday, that the plan will fail to address Palestinian aspirations for independence and self-determination within a sovereign state of their own.
He underscored that no Palestinian representative has been part of any negotiations with the US administration, with regard to Trump’s plan, saying the Fateh movement will not support any initiative that excludes Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.
“If the plan, as indicated in preliminary reports, recognizes Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel then our movement will strongly oppose it,” Nazzal highlighted.
He then criticized “the disrespectful attitude of the Trump administration” towards the core issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, such as the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
Nazzal also slammed the US administration’s initiatives, stating that such efforts only deepen the conflict and make it harder to resolve.
The senior Fateh official finally called on the international community, particularly the European Union, to immediately recognize the Palestinian state, with Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital, within the borders of 1967.
In a related development, the head of the Political Bureau of the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, emphasized strong opposition of the movement to the US plan.
“We clearly declare our opposition to the ‘Deal of the Century,’ which is only a plot,” Ismail Haniyeh was quoted by al-Mayadeen News Network as saying.
“We firmly declare that the ‘Deal of the Century’ will not pass. The new plot aimed against Palestine is bound to fail,” and could lead the Palestinians to a “new phase in their struggle” against Israel, Haniyeh said, in a statement.
He also announced his movement’s readiness to cooperate with the Fateh and other Palestinian groups to depict a road map for defending Jerusalem al-Quds and to vociferously denounce the so-called “peace plan.” to make sure that the new colonial plot against Palestinians will never succeed.
Trump is expected to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main political rival Benny Gantz at the White House, on January 28, to unveil the plan.
Even though the full plan has not been released, Israeli media outlets have described it as a deal that meets nearly all of the Tel Aviv regime’s demands in exchange for the possibility of maybe, someday recognizing a Palestinian state.
“Peace has nothing to do with it,” said Haaretz journalist Amir Tibon.
According to the English-language online newspaper Times of Israel, the deal drastically undermines Palestinian hopes for restoring land seized by Israeli settlements and allows Israel to expand its territory even further.
The US plan on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has already been unanimously rejected by all Palestinian factions, PNN reports.
Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erekat said, on Sunday, that his organization reserves the right “to withdraw from the interim agreement” if Trump announces his plan.
Erekat added that the Trump initiative will turn Israel’s “temporary occupation (of Palestinian territories) into a permanent occupation.”
The Oslo Accords — consisting of Oslo I and Oslo II accords — were signed by late PLO chairman Yasser Arafat and former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, respectively in Washington DC, in 1993, and Taba, Egypt, in 1995. The purported goal of the accords was to achieve peace based on the United Nations Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 and to realize the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
The Palestinian foreign ministry issued a statement on Sunday, saying: “The US administration will not find a single Palestinian who supports this project,” and adding that “Trump’s plan is the plot of the century to liquidate the Palestinian cause.”
According to the statement, the Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Riad al-Malki, said that the Palestinian leadership is discussing practical steps with Arab countries to respond to the US plan at all levels.
According to WAFA news agency, the statement followed a meeting in Ramallah with Egyptian Ambassador to Palestine, Essam El-Din Ashour, in which the two sides discussed diplomatic moves to face the US administration’s decision to release the plan.
Malki stressed the unwavering position of Palestinian leadership in its rejection of the US administration’s decisions on Jerusalem al-Quds and the so-called “Deal of the Century.”
The Palestinian minister also lauded the international consensus on rejection of the US plan.
Meanwhile, Fateh movement also expressed its concerns over the increasing likelihood that the deal will be announced without consulting Palestinian leadership.
Fateh spokesman Jamal Nazzal said, on Sunday, that the plan will fail to address Palestinian aspirations for independence and self-determination within a sovereign state of their own.
He underscored that no Palestinian representative has been part of any negotiations with the US administration, with regard to Trump’s plan, saying the Fateh movement will not support any initiative that excludes Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.
“If the plan, as indicated in preliminary reports, recognizes Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel then our movement will strongly oppose it,” Nazzal highlighted.
He then criticized “the disrespectful attitude of the Trump administration” towards the core issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, such as the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
Nazzal also slammed the US administration’s initiatives, stating that such efforts only deepen the conflict and make it harder to resolve.
The senior Fateh official finally called on the international community, particularly the European Union, to immediately recognize the Palestinian state, with Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital, within the borders of 1967.
In a related development, the head of the Political Bureau of the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, emphasized strong opposition of the movement to the US plan.
“We clearly declare our opposition to the ‘Deal of the Century,’ which is only a plot,” Ismail Haniyeh was quoted by al-Mayadeen News Network as saying.
“We firmly declare that the ‘Deal of the Century’ will not pass. The new plot aimed against Palestine is bound to fail,” and could lead the Palestinians to a “new phase in their struggle” against Israel, Haniyeh said, in a statement.
He also announced his movement’s readiness to cooperate with the Fateh and other Palestinian groups to depict a road map for defending Jerusalem al-Quds and to vociferously denounce the so-called “peace plan.” to make sure that the new colonial plot against Palestinians will never succeed.
Trump is expected to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main political rival Benny Gantz at the White House, on January 28, to unveil the plan.
Even though the full plan has not been released, Israeli media outlets have described it as a deal that meets nearly all of the Tel Aviv regime’s demands in exchange for the possibility of maybe, someday recognizing a Palestinian state.
“Peace has nothing to do with it,” said Haaretz journalist Amir Tibon.
According to the English-language online newspaper Times of Israel, the deal drastically undermines Palestinian hopes for restoring land seized by Israeli settlements and allows Israel to expand its territory even further.
The US plan on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has already been unanimously rejected by all Palestinian factions, PNN reports.
