On January 28, 2020, President Trump is expected to present what he has called “the deal of the century” attempting to end the decades-long conflict between Israel and Palestine. Israeli media reports stated the deal would allow Israel to annex a large swath of the occupied West Bank, incorporate most of the Jewish settlements there, retain control over most of East Jerusalem, and make no major provision for returning Palestinian refugees. The plan is said to include a $50 billion dollar fund to support infrastructure, business, and tourism investments aimed at bolstering the Palestinian economy, as well as the neighboring Arab states.
Critics of the plan state that the timing of its release is meant to divert attention away from domestic issues in the US and Israel, as President Trump is in the midst of impeachment hearings and Prime Minister Netanyahu is on trial for three corruption charges. Even before its release, many are dismissing the deal as a political tool, noting that the Trump administration did not invite Palestinian representatives to Washington to hear of the plan. Demonstrations have begun in Palestine as people protest what they deem a pro-Israel deal, neglecting Palestine’s interests. A Middle East peace deal has the potential to bring more stability to the region, but it seems unlikely given the history of US-Israeli politics.
