U.S. President Donald Trump presented a 21-point peace plan to Arab allies amid deep concerns over Israel’s actions in the West Bank and Gaza.
Meeting Amid Deep Unease
Trump met with Arab allies in an “atmosphere of deep unease,” presenting a 21-point peace plan for the Middle East. According to Politico, Trump assured attendees he would prevent Benjamin Netanyahu from annexing the West Bank, a territory managed by the Palestinian Authority but occupied by Israel for nearly 60 years. The plan also addressed ending the war in Gaza and post-war governance. Trump did not speak to journalists after the meeting, while Steve Witkoff stated the plan “takes into account Israel’s concerns and those of all neighbors in the region.”
Arab Leaders Frustrated by U.S. Stance
Arab and Muslim leaders expressed frustration over Trump’s refusal to recognize Palestinian statehood and his unwavering support for Israeli attacks on Gaza and beyond. They warned that an Israeli invasion of the West Bank could collapse the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and Arab nations like the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, played a key role in these negotiations.
Warning Over Regional Security
Time reported that allies warned Trump that unchecked Israeli actions could force Arab allies to form independent security pacts, risking the collapse of U.S. security architecture in the Middle East. The choice, they said, is clear: ensure Gulf allies’ security and keep Israel within its recognized borders, or face regional instability.
U.S. Rejects Two-State Solution
Emmanuel Macron confirmed reports that the U.S. opposes any annexation of the West Bank, calling it a “red line” that would end normalization with Arab states. Macron presented Trump with a three-page plan for Palestine’s future, based on the New York Declaration, which 143 UN member states supported. The plan calls for coexistence between Israel and Palestine, the disarmament of Hamas, and condemns the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. The U.S. and Israel oppose this approach.
Israeli Settlements and International Law
As more Western nations recognize Palestinian statehood, Israeli anger grows, with increasing calls to annex the West Bank. Recent government decisions to build settlements in the E1 zone could cut the West Bank in half, isolating Palestinian communities. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right extremist, celebrated the move, claiming it would lead to full annexation. The International Court of Justice has ruled Israeli settlements illegal and ordered their immediate halt.
Polish-Palestinian YouTuber Trapped in West Bank
Adam Hraish, a Polish-Palestinian YouTuber, was stranded in the West Bank after Israel closed the Allenby Bridge, the only crossing for Palestinians. The closure separated families and left many without access to medical care. Hraish stated that Israel controls all movement in and out of Palestine, and his Polish passport is meaningless to Israeli authorities. He warned that Israel’s plans to annex the West Bank are a real threat, driven by retaliation against nations recognizing Palestinian statehood.
