JERUSALEM (AP) — President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser mentioned in an interview revealed Sunday that the administration will quickly current its Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, with or with out enter from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
In an interview revealed within the Arabic language Al-Quds newspaper, Jared Kushner appealed on to Palestinians and criticized Abbas, who has shunned the Trump group over its alleged pro-Israel bias, significantly on the destiny of contested Jerusalem.
The interview got here out after a weeklong journey across the area by Kushner and Mideast envoy Jason Greenblatt. The group met with leaders of Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia to debate the worsening humanitarian state of affairs in Gaza and the administration’s proposals for a peace deal.
The Palestinians refused to fulfill with Kushner, and leaders have criticized the Trump negotiating group in current days.
Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat accused Kushner and Greenblatt on Saturday of attempting to topple the Abbas-led West Bank autonomy authorities and dismantle the U.N. assist company for Palestinian refugees. On Sunday, Erekat doubled down on his criticism, telling Israel’s Channel 10 that the American negotiators are “not neutral” and predicting their peace plan would fail.
Any peace plan would face main obstacles, together with the more and more dire humanitarian state of affairs within the Gaza Strip, inside Palestinian divisions, and up to date cross-border violence between Gaza’s Hamas rulers and Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed his Cabinet on Sunday that he met twice with Kushner and Greenblatt this weekend and mentioned “how to solve the humanitarian situation in Gaza without strengthening Hamas.”
It stays unclear how the Trump administration would proceed with a peace plan with out Palestinian cooperation.
Kushner mentioned the plan is “almost done,” however provided scant particulars apart from the promise of financial prosperity. He made no point out of a Palestinian state arising alongside Israel, although he acknowledged that Arab companions assist that purpose.
The Palestinians search the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza — territories captured by Israel within the 1967 Mideast battle. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, and two years later, Hamas seized management of Gaza from Abbas’ forces. Abbas now governs solely small autonomous zones within the West Bank.
Kushner forged doubt on Abbas’ potential to make a deal, alleging that the Palestinian management is “scared we will release our peace plan and the Palestinian people will actually like it” as a result of it could supply them a higher life.
“The global community is getting frustrated with Palestinian leadership and not seeing many actions that are constructive toward achieving peace,” Kushner mentioned. “There are a lot of sharp statements and condemnations, but no ideas or efforts with prospects of success.”
Palestinian leaders have refused to fulfill with the Trump group because the president acknowledged Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in December. Jerusalem is an emotional difficulty on the epicenter of the Israeli-Palestinian battle.
Israel captured the town’s japanese half, residence to holy websites for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, within the 1967 Mideast battle and annexed it. The annexation just isn't internationally acknowledged. Palestinians search east Jerusalem as capital of a future state.
“If President Abbas is willing to come back to the table, we are ready to engage; if he is not, we will likely air the plan publicly,” Kushner mentioned.
Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rdeneh responded to Kushner’s interview by restating that American efforts will yield no outcome in the event that they bypass the Palestinian management, and if they don't seem to be aimed toward an unbiased Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.