Trump envoy Kushner’s stance on US-Israel relationship does little for Palestinian hopes
The declaration by Jared Kushner, America’s Middle East peace envoy, was bold, heralding a fresh diplomatic foray into the quagmire of IsraeliPalestinian relations. But Palestinian expectations were muted yesterday.
US president Donald Trump is “very committed to achieving a solution that will be able to bring prosperity and peace to all people in the area”, Mr Kushner said at the start of talks with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv.
Displaying the closeness towards Israel that has led him to be distrusted by some Palestinians, Mr Kushner said: “We really appreciate the commitment of the prime minister in engaging very thoughtfully and respectfully in the way the president has asked.”
Mr Kushner described the US-Israel relationship as “stronger than ever”.
Accompanied by deputy national security adviser Dina Powell and Jason Greenblatt, another of Mr Trump’s handpicked negotiators, Mr Kushner was due to hold talks later with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. He arrived late on Wednesday after talks in the Gulf, Jordan and Egypt.
“We have a lot of things to talk about: how to advance peace, stability, security and prosperity in the region and I think all are within reach,” said Mr Netanyahu, whose government has markedly stepped up settlement activity in the occupied West Bank since the Trump administration took office.
But seen from Ramallah, prospects for the US-brokered talks are bleak, largely because Palestinians believe Mr Kushner’s team and his president – who is his father-in-law – are siding with Israel.
Mahmoud Al Aloul, a senior member of the Fatah Central Committee, said past US negotiators had focused in talks on “Israeli lies” about Palestinian incitement to violence.
“I do not think the American envoys are coming carrying anything at all,” he said.
Ahmad Majdalani, an Abbas aide, had warned that the American efforts would come to nothing unless Washington clearly recognised the need for a two-state solution and a halt on Israeli settlement construction – steps it has refused to take despite proddings from Mr Abbas.
Mr Trump has described the possibility of an Israeli-Palestinian agreement as “the ultimate deal”, but since he has taken office, it has become even more remote. The situation in the West Bank heartland of the envisioned Palestinian state has deteriorated, according to the left-wing Israeli Peace Now movement, which monitors settlement activity.
“The Israeli government definitely feels it has a freer hand with Trump,” said Anat BenNun, a Peace Now staffer.
In the view of Hani Masri, head of the Masarat think tank in Ramallah, Mr Kushner’s talks in Arab countries were aimed at enlisting them to pressure the Palestinians to negotiate although they are being offered no substantial gains.
Mr Masri believes the US has decided to opt for offering the Palestinians economic improvement as an inducement to negotiate. “This means improving their situation under occupation without any commitment to two states or the halt of settlements,” he said.
Mr Abbas is unlikely to agree, Mr Masri said, but might keep contact going with the Americans “and keep the show going of a process without peace”.
Mr Abbas may resume pursuing other avenues, such as a war crimes case against Israel in the International Criminal Court over its settlement policy. He may also try to upgrade Palestine’s status at the UN to full membership.
“The Americans will then have to decide whether to continue the contacts or not,” Mr Masri said.