Israel’s parliament was set to vote on Wednesday on a measure expressing support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for the Gaza Strip.
“U.S. government representatives approached me regarding today’s Knesset vote to ratify President Trump’s 20-point plan,” opposition leader Yair Lapid, who tabled the measure, tweeted on Wednesday.
“I told them the opposition will support it, and I believe Prime Minister Netanyahu will ensure the coalition also comes to support and express gratitude to President Trump,” continued the Yesh Atid Party leader.
According to Israel’s Ynet outlet, Lapid filed the motion in an attempt to embarrass coalition parties, which have expressed their opposition to references to future Palestinian statehood in Trump’s plan.
Announcing the vote during a speech in parliament a week ago, Lapid told fellow lawmakers that “it is appropriate that, from time to time, the entire Knesset behaves as if there is one people here, with shared goals.”
“I cannot imagine a situation where the prime minister will not require all coalition factions to back it,” Lapid added. “The president’s plan deserves our respect, recognition and support.”
Lapid announced his initiative days after Jerusalem expressed concerns over a U.S.-backed statement that described Washington’s 20-point plan as offering a “pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”
The joint statement, signed by Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan and Turkey, appeared to go further than the peace plan—which Jerusalem has approved—by not leaving the question of Palestinian statehood open for further debate.
In July, the Knesset voted 68-9 to formally reject the establishment of a future Palestinian state in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Lawmakers from Lapid’s Yesh Atid party were absent during the plenary vote.
