5 june 2019
A group of former EU ministers recently published a letter in The Guardian warning that the situation in Israel and Palestine is “sliding into a one-state reality of unequal rights” as they called for adherence to the two-state solution within the framework of the Oslo Accords.
Although clearly an attempt to challenge the further deterioration of Palestinian rights, particularly in light of what appeared to be Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s re-election, the letter obscures the fact that the one-state reality is already here, and provides complicit cover for the worsening situation in the West Bank.
Two weeks before the 9 April elections, US President Donald Trump boosted Netanyahu by formally recognizing Israel’s illegal annexation of the Golan Heights, Syrian land it has occupied since the 1967 war.
Violating international law
With one signature, the US rewarded Israel’s lengthy violation of international law, laying the groundwork for its annexation of the rest of the West Bank (East Jerusalem was occupied in 1967). A few days before the election, Netanyahu vowed to begin the annexation process. This was not a rogue statement: most Likud members who ran for re-election are behind it. In this context, it is easy to envisage Trump giving his seal of approval to this move as well.
Annexation would mean a series of legislative measures extending Israeli sovereignty over settlements in the West Bank, leading to the consolidation of Bantustan-like entities for Palestinians. Rather than one sweeping move, annexation will continue to be a gradual process, turning Israel’s de facto control into de jure control.
This process began more than 50 years ago, in 1967, when Israel gained complete control over all of historic Palestine’s borders – land, sea and air – giving it effective control over the movement of people and goods. Even when Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas wants to leave the West Bank, he must obtain Israel’s permission.
While the PA has control over the Palestinian population in Area A (less than a fifth of the West Bank), broader control of land and resources by Israel is absolute, and these are diverted for the benefit and use of Israeli Jews.
On both sides of the Green Line, Israel limits Palestinians to as little land as possible. This has been seen through the gerrymandering of borders in Jerusalem; the expulsion of Bedouin communities, such as Khan al-Ahmar; and the appropriation of huge swathes of Palestinian land in the Galilee and the Naqab, in present-day Israel.
Segregating populations
Meanwhile, the Israeli practice of segregating populations is becoming more apparent, though the legal mechanisms that divide Jews from non-Jews are decades old. The passing of the nation-state law last year outraged many progressives, as it seemingly enshrined Jewish supremacy through its declaration that Jews alone have the right to self-determination in the land.
Yet, the law only reiterated what already exists in Israeli legislation, particularly in its Basic Laws, which function as the state’s constitution. While Palestinian citizens of Israel are permitted bits of nominal political space, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, and Syrians in the Golan, have no say over the administration that governs them.
The Oslo process has allowed Israel to gradually disempower the Palestinian people through these practices. Though Oslo was supposed to lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, its parameters allowed for Israeli dominance, and Palestinians unwittingly signed a capitulation agreement.
The international community’s consistent embrace of Oslo and its narrative has provided complicit cover for the Israeli regime and the prioritization of the two-state solution over basic Palestinian rights. Even in the face of the one-state reality, and a quarter-century after the signing of the accords, the narrative continues to be spouted in a futile attempt at resuscitation, as evidenced by the recent Guardian letter.
This reiteration of a failed framework, with little to no action on the ground and no consequences for Israel, has placed Palestinians in a position of historic vulnerability as we approach a potentially monumental period of negotiations.
An affront to justice
Trump adviser Jared Kushner has stated that the “deal of the century” will be released after Ramadan, which could mean imminently, although Netanyahu's failure to form a government and the snap elections may provide an excuse for a further delay. The PA, without knowing the deal’s contents, has already rejected it.
In light of the US decisions on the Golan and on moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, along with its attack on Palestinian refugees through the de-funding of the UN agency that serves them, it is clear that any “deal” will be an affront to international law, justice and equality.
The deal will provide a litmus test for states around the world to demonstrate their commitment to international law and justice. The response can no longer be a reiteration of the Oslo framework.
In the face of escalating Israeli aggression and Israel’s US-supported abandonment of the two-state solution, the international community must put forward a new narrative that acknowledges the one-state reality.
This acknowledgement does not mean turning from international law or giving up on Palestinian aspirations for political sovereignty. Rather, it accepts the fact of absolute Israeli control.
The outgoing French ambassador to the US recently described Israel as an apartheid state, and although he backpedalled after arousing the ire of Israel’s supporters, it was an important admission. It is now more imperative than ever for others to follow suit and to state the reality on the ground.
Indeed, calling Israel what it is – a single apartheid state – opens a new box of tools to tackle the power imbalance at hand, and to at last allow space for the realization of Palestinian rights.
- Yara Hawari is the Palestine Policy Fellow for Al Shabaka - The Palestinian Policy Network. She completed her PhD at the University of Exeter in Middle East politics and frequently writes for various media outlets. Her article appeared in the Middle East Eye.
Although clearly an attempt to challenge the further deterioration of Palestinian rights, particularly in light of what appeared to be Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s re-election, the letter obscures the fact that the one-state reality is already here, and provides complicit cover for the worsening situation in the West Bank.
Two weeks before the 9 April elections, US President Donald Trump boosted Netanyahu by formally recognizing Israel’s illegal annexation of the Golan Heights, Syrian land it has occupied since the 1967 war.
Violating international law
With one signature, the US rewarded Israel’s lengthy violation of international law, laying the groundwork for its annexation of the rest of the West Bank (East Jerusalem was occupied in 1967). A few days before the election, Netanyahu vowed to begin the annexation process. This was not a rogue statement: most Likud members who ran for re-election are behind it. In this context, it is easy to envisage Trump giving his seal of approval to this move as well.
Annexation would mean a series of legislative measures extending Israeli sovereignty over settlements in the West Bank, leading to the consolidation of Bantustan-like entities for Palestinians. Rather than one sweeping move, annexation will continue to be a gradual process, turning Israel’s de facto control into de jure control.
This process began more than 50 years ago, in 1967, when Israel gained complete control over all of historic Palestine’s borders – land, sea and air – giving it effective control over the movement of people and goods. Even when Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas wants to leave the West Bank, he must obtain Israel’s permission.
While the PA has control over the Palestinian population in Area A (less than a fifth of the West Bank), broader control of land and resources by Israel is absolute, and these are diverted for the benefit and use of Israeli Jews.
On both sides of the Green Line, Israel limits Palestinians to as little land as possible. This has been seen through the gerrymandering of borders in Jerusalem; the expulsion of Bedouin communities, such as Khan al-Ahmar; and the appropriation of huge swathes of Palestinian land in the Galilee and the Naqab, in present-day Israel.
Segregating populations
Meanwhile, the Israeli practice of segregating populations is becoming more apparent, though the legal mechanisms that divide Jews from non-Jews are decades old. The passing of the nation-state law last year outraged many progressives, as it seemingly enshrined Jewish supremacy through its declaration that Jews alone have the right to self-determination in the land.
Yet, the law only reiterated what already exists in Israeli legislation, particularly in its Basic Laws, which function as the state’s constitution. While Palestinian citizens of Israel are permitted bits of nominal political space, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, and Syrians in the Golan, have no say over the administration that governs them.
The Oslo process has allowed Israel to gradually disempower the Palestinian people through these practices. Though Oslo was supposed to lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, its parameters allowed for Israeli dominance, and Palestinians unwittingly signed a capitulation agreement.
The international community’s consistent embrace of Oslo and its narrative has provided complicit cover for the Israeli regime and the prioritization of the two-state solution over basic Palestinian rights. Even in the face of the one-state reality, and a quarter-century after the signing of the accords, the narrative continues to be spouted in a futile attempt at resuscitation, as evidenced by the recent Guardian letter.
This reiteration of a failed framework, with little to no action on the ground and no consequences for Israel, has placed Palestinians in a position of historic vulnerability as we approach a potentially monumental period of negotiations.
An affront to justice
Trump adviser Jared Kushner has stated that the “deal of the century” will be released after Ramadan, which could mean imminently, although Netanyahu's failure to form a government and the snap elections may provide an excuse for a further delay. The PA, without knowing the deal’s contents, has already rejected it.
In light of the US decisions on the Golan and on moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, along with its attack on Palestinian refugees through the de-funding of the UN agency that serves them, it is clear that any “deal” will be an affront to international law, justice and equality.
The deal will provide a litmus test for states around the world to demonstrate their commitment to international law and justice. The response can no longer be a reiteration of the Oslo framework.
In the face of escalating Israeli aggression and Israel’s US-supported abandonment of the two-state solution, the international community must put forward a new narrative that acknowledges the one-state reality.
This acknowledgement does not mean turning from international law or giving up on Palestinian aspirations for political sovereignty. Rather, it accepts the fact of absolute Israeli control.
The outgoing French ambassador to the US recently described Israel as an apartheid state, and although he backpedalled after arousing the ire of Israel’s supporters, it was an important admission. It is now more imperative than ever for others to follow suit and to state the reality on the ground.
Indeed, calling Israel what it is – a single apartheid state – opens a new box of tools to tackle the power imbalance at hand, and to at last allow space for the realization of Palestinian rights.
- Yara Hawari is the Palestine Policy Fellow for Al Shabaka - The Palestinian Policy Network. She completed her PhD at the University of Exeter in Middle East politics and frequently writes for various media outlets. Her article appeared in the Middle East Eye.
Jordan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi has denounced Israel's plan to build 800 new settlement units in Occupied Jerusalem.
Safadi said in statements on Twitter that the new move blatantly violates international law.
The Israeli authorities have recently put forward tenders for the construction of over 800 housing units in East Jerusalem.
Safadi described the plan as "illegitimate" and said that it would "undermine efforts to achieve peace based on the two-state solution".
He called on the international community to act immediately toward putting an end to the Israeli violations.
In April Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed, during an interview with a local media platform, that he had informed the US president Donald Trump about his intention to annex the West Bank settlements to Israel.
Netanyahu explained that the annexation will be carried out gradually and in coordination with the US.
Israel, since the occupation of the West Bank in 1967, has built 250 settlements, and currently over 400,000 settlers are living there.
Safadi said in statements on Twitter that the new move blatantly violates international law.
The Israeli authorities have recently put forward tenders for the construction of over 800 housing units in East Jerusalem.
Safadi described the plan as "illegitimate" and said that it would "undermine efforts to achieve peace based on the two-state solution".
He called on the international community to act immediately toward putting an end to the Israeli violations.
In April Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed, during an interview with a local media platform, that he had informed the US president Donald Trump about his intention to annex the West Bank settlements to Israel.
Netanyahu explained that the annexation will be carried out gradually and in coordination with the US.
Israel, since the occupation of the West Bank in 1967, has built 250 settlements, and currently over 400,000 settlers are living there.
US President Donald Trump’s closeness with Saudi Arabia is harming American national security, says a top senator, slamming the commander in chief’s seven-time approval of nuclear tech transfer to the kingdom, twice in the wake of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.
American Senator Tim Kaine made the comments in a statement released Tuesday, Politico reported.
“President Trump’s eagerness to give the Saudis anything they want, over bipartisan congressional objection, harms American national security interests and is one of many steps the administration is taking that is fueling a dangerous escalation of tension in the region,” said the Virginia Democrat.
Only 16 days after the dissident Saudi journalist was brutally murdered inside the monarchy’s consulate in Istanbul, the US president made one of the approvals on October 18, 2018. A second one was made on February 18 of the same year.
Despite the heinous murder and dismembering of the Washington Post journalist, which the CIA believes was directed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump bypassed Congress last month to sell even more arms to Saudi Arabia.
The Trump administration has remained a staunch supporter of Riyadh even as a humanitarian crisis is underway in Yemen, under aggression from the neighboring kingdom.
Trump has also disregarded the CIA’s assessment about the role the Saudi de facto ruler, bin Salman, played in the murder at the Saudi consulate.
Khashoggi was killed and his body was dismembered by a Saudi hit squad after being lured into the consulate on October 2, 2018.
Related: May 2 2019 Saudi Arabia offers Abbas $10 billion to accept 'Deal of the Century'
American Senator Tim Kaine made the comments in a statement released Tuesday, Politico reported.
“President Trump’s eagerness to give the Saudis anything they want, over bipartisan congressional objection, harms American national security interests and is one of many steps the administration is taking that is fueling a dangerous escalation of tension in the region,” said the Virginia Democrat.
Only 16 days after the dissident Saudi journalist was brutally murdered inside the monarchy’s consulate in Istanbul, the US president made one of the approvals on October 18, 2018. A second one was made on February 18 of the same year.
Despite the heinous murder and dismembering of the Washington Post journalist, which the CIA believes was directed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump bypassed Congress last month to sell even more arms to Saudi Arabia.
The Trump administration has remained a staunch supporter of Riyadh even as a humanitarian crisis is underway in Yemen, under aggression from the neighboring kingdom.
Trump has also disregarded the CIA’s assessment about the role the Saudi de facto ruler, bin Salman, played in the murder at the Saudi consulate.
Khashoggi was killed and his body was dismembered by a Saudi hit squad after being lured into the consulate on October 2, 2018.
Related: May 2 2019 Saudi Arabia offers Abbas $10 billion to accept 'Deal of the Century'
4 june 2019
Saudi Arabian authorities have reportedly arrested more than 60 people, including Palestinians and Saudis, on charges of supporting the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement.
Lebanese Arabic-language daily newspaper al-Akhbar, citing informed sources who requested anonymity, reported on Monday that officials in the conservative kingdom have been conducting a campaign against Saudi nationals and Palestinian expatriates for more than two months, detaining dozens of people over affiliation to the Palestinian group.
The report added that the most prominent figure among those arrested is Dr. Muhammad al-Khudari, who represented Hamas movement between mid-1990s and 2003 in Saudi Arabia.
Even though Khudari has left his position for years, he was detained and is now “being kept in detention under difficult conditions,” according to family members.
Al-Ahbar went on to say that the campaign of arrests coincided with the closure and tight control of bank accounts, and a ban on sending any money from Saudi Arabia to the Gaza Strip.
Saudi officials have apparently leveled charges of “supporting a terrorist movement and money laundering in support of terrorism and extremism” against those arrested.
Over the past two years, Saudi authorities have deported more than 100 Palestinians from the kingdom, mostly on charges of supporting Hamas resistance movement financially, politically or through social networking sites.
The Riyadh regime has imposed strict control over Palestinian funds in Saudi Arabia since the end of 2017.
All remittances of Palestinian expatriates are being tightly controlled, fearing that these funds could be diverted indirectly and through other countries to Hamas.
Money transfer offices are asking the Palestinians to bring forward strong arguments for conversion, and do not allow the ceiling of one’s money transfer to exceed $3,000.
Meanwhile, a number of families of the detainees have begun sending memos to legal bodies to know the fate of their relatives, at a time when the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Hamas are at their worst ever level.
On April 30, al-Akhbar said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had reportedly offered Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas 10 billion dollars in return for accepting US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal for peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, dubbed “the deal of the century.”
The Lebanese daily newspaper noted that Abbas had turned down the offer, saying supporting the deal would be “the end of his political life.”
Citing leaked diplomatic reports based on conversations between the two Arab politicians, the paper noted that the reports -- written by the Jordanian envoy to Ramallah, Khaled al-Shawabkeh -- were based on briefings with a number of Palestinian officials.
The Palestinian Authority chief said political realities prevented him from accepting the so-called peace plan, emphasizing that he could not make concessions regarding Israeli settlements, the “two-state solution” and Jerusalem al-Quds.
Abbas also underscored that the Americans would not provide any written proposals, but would adopt a tactic similar to the 1917 Balfour Declaration that led to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
Earlier this month, a senior Hamas official told Press TV that Palestinians will resist the so-called deal of the century proposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump, stopping at nothing less than creating an “independent Palestinian state.”
“As Palestinians, we will not accept such ideas. We will resist. No one can accept selling his own land. We will not accept Jerusalem al-Quds being the capital of another state; it will be the capital of the Palestinian state forever,” said Hamas’ international relations committee head Osama Hamdan on May 3.
Lebanese Arabic-language daily newspaper al-Akhbar, citing informed sources who requested anonymity, reported on Monday that officials in the conservative kingdom have been conducting a campaign against Saudi nationals and Palestinian expatriates for more than two months, detaining dozens of people over affiliation to the Palestinian group.
The report added that the most prominent figure among those arrested is Dr. Muhammad al-Khudari, who represented Hamas movement between mid-1990s and 2003 in Saudi Arabia.
Even though Khudari has left his position for years, he was detained and is now “being kept in detention under difficult conditions,” according to family members.
Al-Ahbar went on to say that the campaign of arrests coincided with the closure and tight control of bank accounts, and a ban on sending any money from Saudi Arabia to the Gaza Strip.
Saudi officials have apparently leveled charges of “supporting a terrorist movement and money laundering in support of terrorism and extremism” against those arrested.
Over the past two years, Saudi authorities have deported more than 100 Palestinians from the kingdom, mostly on charges of supporting Hamas resistance movement financially, politically or through social networking sites.
The Riyadh regime has imposed strict control over Palestinian funds in Saudi Arabia since the end of 2017.
All remittances of Palestinian expatriates are being tightly controlled, fearing that these funds could be diverted indirectly and through other countries to Hamas.
Money transfer offices are asking the Palestinians to bring forward strong arguments for conversion, and do not allow the ceiling of one’s money transfer to exceed $3,000.
Meanwhile, a number of families of the detainees have begun sending memos to legal bodies to know the fate of their relatives, at a time when the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Hamas are at their worst ever level.
On April 30, al-Akhbar said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had reportedly offered Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas 10 billion dollars in return for accepting US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal for peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, dubbed “the deal of the century.”
The Lebanese daily newspaper noted that Abbas had turned down the offer, saying supporting the deal would be “the end of his political life.”
Citing leaked diplomatic reports based on conversations between the two Arab politicians, the paper noted that the reports -- written by the Jordanian envoy to Ramallah, Khaled al-Shawabkeh -- were based on briefings with a number of Palestinian officials.
The Palestinian Authority chief said political realities prevented him from accepting the so-called peace plan, emphasizing that he could not make concessions regarding Israeli settlements, the “two-state solution” and Jerusalem al-Quds.
Abbas also underscored that the Americans would not provide any written proposals, but would adopt a tactic similar to the 1917 Balfour Declaration that led to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
Earlier this month, a senior Hamas official told Press TV that Palestinians will resist the so-called deal of the century proposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump, stopping at nothing less than creating an “independent Palestinian state.”
“As Palestinians, we will not accept such ideas. We will resist. No one can accept selling his own land. We will not accept Jerusalem al-Quds being the capital of another state; it will be the capital of the Palestinian state forever,” said Hamas’ international relations committee head Osama Hamdan on May 3.
Pro-Palestine coalitions, committees, and institutions on Monday organized a popular protest in the city of Casablanca in Morocco to voice condemnation of the deal of the century.
The protest took place in front of the US consulate amid intense police presence.
The protesters raised banners expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and rejection of the visit of the US president Donald Trump's senior advisor Jared Kushner to Morocco to promote the deal of the century.
The protesters waved Palestine flags and confirmed their full support of the Palestinian cause until the occupation ends.
The protest took place in front of the US consulate amid intense police presence.
The protesters raised banners expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and rejection of the visit of the US president Donald Trump's senior advisor Jared Kushner to Morocco to promote the deal of the century.
The protesters waved Palestine flags and confirmed their full support of the Palestinian cause until the occupation ends.
3 june 2019
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner has refused to back Palestinian statehood ahead of the expected release of his "peace" plan, saying he believes the Palestinians are not ready to govern themselves.
Kushner also told US news site Axios that he did not mind the Palestinians do not trust him.
The Palestinians, he stated, "should have self-determination", without saying whether that would mean an independent state or some lesser form of autonomy.
Asked if the Palestinians could expect freedom from any Israeli regime or military interference, Kushner said "I think that it's a high bar".
The Palestinians have already dismissed the upcoming plan touted as the "deal of the century" by President Donald Trump, saying US actions so far have shown Washington is blatantly biased in favor of Israel.
The Washington Post said in April that the plan is likely to “stop short of ensuring a separate, fully sovereign Palestinian state.”
The so-called peace plan was expected to be unveiled at the end of the holy month of Ramadan in June.
During the interview, Kushner said he was not concerned over whether the Palestinians do not trust him.
"I'm not here to be trusted," he said, adding the Palestinian people would judge the deal based on whether "they think this will allow them to have a pathway to a better life or not."
Relations between the Palestinian Authority and the US took an unprecedented dip in late 2017, when Washington recognized Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s “capital”.
Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital. However, Israel insists on maintaining the occupation of Palestinian territories.
The Palestinians have rejected the US Middle East initiative as “the slap of the century” because it is said to hugely favor Israel.
Kushner also told US news site Axios that he did not mind the Palestinians do not trust him.
The Palestinians, he stated, "should have self-determination", without saying whether that would mean an independent state or some lesser form of autonomy.
Asked if the Palestinians could expect freedom from any Israeli regime or military interference, Kushner said "I think that it's a high bar".
The Palestinians have already dismissed the upcoming plan touted as the "deal of the century" by President Donald Trump, saying US actions so far have shown Washington is blatantly biased in favor of Israel.
The Washington Post said in April that the plan is likely to “stop short of ensuring a separate, fully sovereign Palestinian state.”
The so-called peace plan was expected to be unveiled at the end of the holy month of Ramadan in June.
During the interview, Kushner said he was not concerned over whether the Palestinians do not trust him.
"I'm not here to be trusted," he said, adding the Palestinian people would judge the deal based on whether "they think this will allow them to have a pathway to a better life or not."
Relations between the Palestinian Authority and the US took an unprecedented dip in late 2017, when Washington recognized Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s “capital”.
Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital. However, Israel insists on maintaining the occupation of Palestinian territories.
The Palestinians have rejected the US Middle East initiative as “the slap of the century” because it is said to hugely favor Israel.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s doubts about his so-called deal of century “may be right.”
"Look, we’re doing our best to help the Middle East to get a peace plan, and he [Pompeo] may be right. I mean, most people would say that," Trump told reporters in Washington, DC, Sunday evening. “But if we can get a Mid-East peace plan that would be good.
And when Mike says that, I understand when he says that, because most people think it can’t be done. I think it probably can. But as I say often, we’ll see what happens.”
According to an audio recording of a private meeting between Pompeo and Israelis obtained by The Washington Post, the US top diplomat is heard suggesting that the plan is “unexecutable” and it might not “gain traction.”
“It may be rejected. Could be in the end, folks will say, ‘It’s not particularly original, it doesn’t particularly work for me,’ that is, ‘It’s got two good things and nine bad things, I’m out,’ ” said the former CIA chief. “The big question is can we get enough space that we can have a real conversation about how to build this out.”
Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner has said that the deal would be unveiled at the conclusion of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formed a new administration in the wake of reelection.
The timeline could change as the Israeli parliament (Knesset) voted to dissolve last week, forcing the premier to runs for the post in a second election this year.
“I mean, Bibi got elected, and now all of a sudden they’re going to have to go through the process again until September?” Trump asked. “That’s ridiculous. So we’re not happy about that.”
The economic portion of the so-called deal of the century is set to be unveiled during a conference in Manama, Bahrain, on June 25-26.
All Palestinian factions have boycotted the event, accusing Washington of offering financial rewards for accepting the Israeli occupation.
US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s doubts about his so-called deal of century “may be right.”
"Look, we’re doing our best to help the Middle East to get a peace plan, and he [Pompeo] may be right. I mean, most people would say that," Trump told reporters in Washington, DC, Sunday evening. “But if we can get a Mid-East peace plan that would be good.
And when Mike says that, I understand when he says that, because most people think it can’t be done. I think it probably can. But as I say often, we’ll see what happens.”
According to an audio recording of a private meeting between Pompeo and Israelis obtained by The Washington Post, the US top diplomat is heard suggesting that the plan is “unexecutable” and it might not “gain traction.”
“It may be rejected. Could be in the end, folks will say, ‘It’s not particularly original, it doesn’t particularly work for me,’ that is, ‘It’s got two good things and nine bad things, I’m out,’ ” said the former CIA chief. “The big question is can we get enough space that we can have a real conversation about how to build this out.”
Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner has said that the deal would be unveiled at the conclusion of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formed a new administration in the wake of reelection.
The timeline could change as the Israeli parliament (Knesset) voted to dissolve last week, forcing the premier to runs for the post in a second election this year.
“I mean, Bibi got elected, and now all of a sudden they’re going to have to go through the process again until September?” Trump asked. “That’s ridiculous. So we’re not happy about that.”
The economic portion of the so-called deal of the century is set to be unveiled during a conference in Manama, Bahrain, on June 25-26.
All Palestinian factions have boycotted the event, accusing Washington of offering financial rewards for accepting the Israeli occupation.
2 june 2019
The Islamic Movement, activist youth and other groups staged a protest sit-in, in the vicinity of the US embassy in Amman, this past week, to express their rejection of a visit byJared Kushner, US President Donald Turmp’s senior adviser.
Jordanian security forces closed the square facing the embassy and prevented demonstrators from performing Isha and Taraweeh prayers in the zone.
The participants stood away from the embassy, carrying placards calling on Jordanian leadership not to receive Kushner or participate in the Bahrain economic workshop.
They also chanted slogans against the US, Kushner and Israel, Days of Palestine reports.
Addressing the crowds, secretary-general of the Muslim Brotherhood Abdul-Hamid al-Dunaibat called on the Jordanian government to be clear about its position towards the participation in the Bahrain conference.
Dunaibat called on Kushner to go back to his country, stressing that Jordan is not for sale and will not be a substitute homeland for anyone.
He slammed the rulers of the Gulf countries for scrambling to the arms of Israel and Trump, and allowing the latter to plunder their wealth.
Jordanian security forces closed the square facing the embassy and prevented demonstrators from performing Isha and Taraweeh prayers in the zone.
The participants stood away from the embassy, carrying placards calling on Jordanian leadership not to receive Kushner or participate in the Bahrain economic workshop.
They also chanted slogans against the US, Kushner and Israel, Days of Palestine reports.
Addressing the crowds, secretary-general of the Muslim Brotherhood Abdul-Hamid al-Dunaibat called on the Jordanian government to be clear about its position towards the participation in the Bahrain conference.
Dunaibat called on Kushner to go back to his country, stressing that Jordan is not for sale and will not be a substitute homeland for anyone.
He slammed the rulers of the Gulf countries for scrambling to the arms of Israel and Trump, and allowing the latter to plunder their wealth.