Trump sides with Israel in peace plan

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has unveiled his long-awaited Middle East peace plan alongside a beaming Benjamin Netanyahu, presenting a vision that has matched the Israeli leader’s hard-line, nationalist views while falling far short of Palestinian ambitions.

Mr Trump’s plan envisions a disjointed Palestinian state that turns over key parts of the West Bank to Israel.

It sides with Israel on key contentious issues that have bedevilled past peace efforts, including borders and the status of Jerusalem and Jewish settlements, and attaches nearly impossible conditions for granting the Palestinians their hoped-for state.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday dismissed the plan as “nonsense” and vowed to resist it.

But Mr Netanyahu (pictured with Mr Trump yesterday) called it a “historic breakthrough” equal in significance to the country’s declaration of independence in 1948.

“It’s a great plan for Israel — it’s a great plan for peace,” he said.

Mr Netanyahu vowed to immediately press forward with his plans to annex the strategic Jordan Valley and all the Israeli settlements in occupied lands.

He said he would ask his cabinet to approve the annexation plans in their next meeting on Sunday.

It would be an explosive move that could trigger harsh international reaction and further conflict across the border.

Given the Palestinian opposition, the plan seems unlikely to lead to any significant breakthrough. But it could give a powerful boost to both Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu who are both facing legal problems ahead of tough elections.

Mr Trump called his plan a “win-win” for both Israel and the Palestinians, and urged the Palestinians not to miss their opportunity for independence.