update deskMiddle East

Trump administration to release Mideast peace plan ‘as early as this month’

Sources told ABC News that just four administration members have seen the entire plan, which U.S. officials told the outlet has yet to be shared with allies, including Israel.

From left: U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, Special Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt, White House adviser Jared Kushner, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer, meeting in Jerusalem, June 22, 2018. Credit: U.S. Embassy in Israel.
From left: U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, Special Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt, White House adviser Jared Kushner, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer, meeting in Jerusalem, June 22, 2018. Credit: U.S. Embassy in Israel.

With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s re-election on Tuesday, the Trump administration could release its peace proposal for the Israelis and the Palestinians “as early as this month,” according to ABC News, citing sources knowledgeable of the plan.

The outlet reported that U.S. President Donald Trump has been briefed on the proposal, which has been in the works for the past couple years by Mideast envoy Jason Greenblatt and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, also the president’s son-in-law.

The sources told ABC that just four administration members have seen the entire plan, which U.S. officials told the outlet has yet to be shared with allies, including Israel.

The White House declined to comment to the network about the proposal’s specifics.

Last month, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo suggested that it will break from conventional thinking.

Kushner and Greenblatt have been advocating their so-called “deal of the century” through traveling abroad such as to Mideast countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

On Wednesday, Trump told reporters, “The fact that Bibi won, I think we’ll see some pretty good action in terms of peace.”

“Everybody said you can’t have peace in the Middle East with Israel and the Palestinians,” he said. “I think we have a chance. And I think we have, now, a better chance with Bibi having won.”

Greenblatt tweeted a message to the Palestinian Authority on Thursday: “To the PA: Our plan will greatly improve Palestinian lives & create something very different than what exists. It’s a realistic plan to thrive/prosper even if it means compromises. It’s not a “sell out,” if the plan isn’t realistic, no one can deliver it.”

An informed source hearing from top Trump administration officials previously told JNS that the United States is expected to recognize a Palestinian state with its capital in eastern Jerusalem, in addition official U.S. recognition of large Israeli towns in Judea and Samaria.

You have read 3 articles this month.
Register to receive full access to JNS.

Just before you scroll on...

Israel is at war. JNS is combating the stream of misinformation on Israel with real, honest and factual reporting. In order to deliver this in-depth, unbiased coverage of Israel and the Jewish world, we rely on readers like you. The support you provide allows our journalists to deliver the truth, free from bias and hidden agendas. Can we count on your support? Every contribution, big or small, helps JNS.org remain a trusted source of news you can rely on.

Become a part of our mission by donating today
Topics
Comments
Thank you. You are a loyal JNS Reader.
You have read more than 10 articles this month.
Please register for full access to continue reading and post comments.