Reaction: can Donald Trump’s Middle East plan work?
Israel welcomes proposal but Palestinians give it ‘a thousand noes’

US President Donald Trump has proposed a Middle East plan that he claimed was a “realistic two-state solution” but panders to nearly every major Israeli demand and was immediately rejected by Palestinians.
The plan allows Israel to begin annexing all of its settlements in the West Bank with US backing and anticipates the eventual establishment of a Palestinian state with limited sovereignty after a transition period.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said Jerusalem “will remain Israel's undivided capital,” but claimed that a future Palestinian state would also have a “capital in eastern Jerusalem”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said his proposals “could be the last opportunity” for Palestinians.
However, the Palestinians were not present at the announcement. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has dismissed the plans as a “conspiracy” and given the proposal “a thousand noes”.
“I say to Trump and Netanyahu: Jerusalem is not for sale, all our rights are not for sale and are not for bargain. And your deal, the conspiracy, will not pass,” he said.
The ruling Hamas group in Gaza called Trump's statement “aggressive” and said the Jerusalem plan was “nonsense”.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Elsewhere in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE have released statements welcoming the Trump administration's peace plan.
The Jerusalem Post says the plan is “a seal of approval for Netanyahu’s longtime vision”. Another Israeli newspaper, Haaretz, says Palestinians “must refuse to engage with these fictional negotiations,” describing the plan as a “recipe for war, not peace”.
Referring to Trump’s offer of $50bn investment to launch the Palestinians’ new state, including a high-speed rail link between Gaza and the West Bank, The Times says the proposal “offers $50bn for Palestinians to give up Jerusalem”.
CNN says the plan is “another example of the real estate school of diplomacy that [Jared Kushner] and his father-in-law — both property magnates — keep trying to apply to the most nettlesome global disputes”.
Jeremy Bowen of the BBC says Palestinians will become “afflicted by more anger, despair and hopelessness,” adding: “In a combustible part of the world, that is dangerous. The Trump plan is a gamble.”
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he welcomed the plan, adding “only the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian territories can determine whether these proposals can meet the needs and aspirations of the people they represent”.
However, The Guardian, wonders where Israel’s neighbours are among Trump’s proposals. “All that's missing from Trump's Middle East plan is Palestinians,” says The Guardian.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A human pyramid, a church on wheels, and more
-
The Week Unwrapped: Is it time for a new world map?
Podcast Plus, why is the pope getting flatmates? And why are seagull 'muggings' on the rise?
-
Ford Ranger Plug-in Hybrid: 'more than just a novelty'
The Week Recommends Europe's first plug-in hybrid pickup is 'surprisingly agile'
-
What will security guarantees for Ukraine look like?
Today's Big Question From boots on the ground to economic sanctions, here are the measures that might stop Russia taking another bite out of Ukraine
-
Trump halts Gaza visas as Israelis protest war
Speed Read Laura Loomer voiced her concerns over injured Palestinian kids being brought to the US for treatment and a potential 'Islamic invasion'
-
Will Ukraine trade territory for peace?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Kyiv’s defences are wearing thin but a land swap is constitutionally impossible and crosses Zelenskyy's red lines
-
Russia tries Ukraine land grab before Trump summit
Speed Read The incursion may be part of Putin's efforts to boost his bargaining position
-
Europe counters Putin ahead of Trump summit
Speed Read President Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this week for Ukraine peace talks
-
Is Trump's new peacemaking model working in DR Congo?
Talking Point Truce brokered by the US president in June is holding, but foundations of a long-term peace have let to be laid
-
Israeli security cabinet OKs Gaza City takeover
Speed Read Netanyahu approved a proposal for Israeli Defense Forces to take over the largest population center in the Gaza Strip
-
Who wins from a Trump-Putin meeting?
Today's Big Question Trump might get the leaders together for a photo op but brokering a peace deal won’t be easy