US to offer economic proposals for Palestinians

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration will unveil economic proposals for development in the Palestinian territories next month as part of a proposed Arab-israeli peace package, it announced Sunday, but it will hold back crucial details about a potential political settlement to the conflict.

Bahrain will host a twoday economic conference in June that is described as a working session to develop ideas and drum up investment from Arab governments, business and investment figures, and from nations outside the region, including in Asia.

In announcing the session, the Trump administration did not describe plans for Palestinian self-governance or a future state. The initiative developed by Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner is expected to call for a multibillion-dollar package of loans, grants and investment for Palestinians and in neighboring states affected by the conflict, but to stop short of endorsing a separate, fully sovereign state alongside Israel.

The second half of the plan, dealing with “political” issues, will follow at an unspecified date, the administration said. That part of the package is expected to address Palestinian sovereignty and land claims, borders, and the status of Jerusalem.

By divorcing the economic underpinnings of the plan from the most sensitive political questions about the future of the region, the Trump administration might be attempting to prevent it from being dead on arrival.

Discussion of money is meant to ignite interest among Palestinians and their Arab backers — and to go around Palestinian leaders.

The Palestine Liberation Organization’s negotiation affairs department declined to comment Sunday, and Israel’s foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

Palestinian officials have criticized the Trump administration for attempting to pursue “economic peace” in what they say is an effort to avoid a just political solution. In a response to an editorial by U.S. Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt late last year, the Palestinian Authority accused him of attempting to buy a Palestinian surrender.