Hopefully January 28th of the year two thousand and twenty will go down in history as the day that gave peace a chance. Beginning and 12:10 eastern, President Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu were received with a standing ovation and cheers as they addressed the public on Trump’s ‘Middle East Peace Plan.’
“Today Israel takes a big step towards peace,” President Trump began, “governments are realizing terrorism and extremism are everyone’s common enemy.“ President Trump acknowledged having met with both Israeli leaders of two different parties who are still in a head to head battle for Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz. “The two men both meeting” with Trump “proves that peace transcends politics” stated Trump.
Referencing their small piece of land that has flourished economically and democratically, Trump said, “Israel is a light unto the world.” And as for the Palestinian people, they “deserve a far better life. Palestinians have been trapped in a cycle of terrorism and violence being used as pawns” by their leaders said, Trump. The President went on to say that “forging peace between the Israelis and Palestinians may be the most challenging thing of all… but I was not elected to do small things or shy away from big problems.”
In discussing the 80-page detailed proposal Trump called his “vision for peace and prosperity” he claimed “It is fundamentally different from past proposals…my proposal presents a win-win for both sides.” Trump’s proposal offers a conceptual map to outline borders for the two states. Because the conceptual map received the support of Israel, Trump noted the significance and addressed Netanyahu directly, saying “this is an unprecedented and highly significant development. Mister Prime Minister thank you for having the courage to take this bold step forward.”
Amongst many details that separate President Trump’s plan from those in the past are that the Palestinians have been given “conditions for statehood.” Certain rules must be abided by in order for the two-state resolution to come to fruition. Amongst the conditions are that Palestinians acknowledge Israel’s right to exist and the right to sovereignty and security as well as “the rejection of terrorism.” The “transition to a two-state system will involve no threat to Israel at all…we will never ask Israel to compromise its security” said Trump.
President Trump received a standing ovation when he mentioned getting out of the Iranian nuclear deal as one of the actions he has taken as an ally to Israel. Transitioning into the gains on the Palestinian side, Trump said: “it wouldn’t be fair if I don’t do a lot for the Palestinians as well.” In the resolution, Jerusalem will remain Israel’s “undivided capital.” Because “the Palestinian people are ready to escape their tragic past” said Trump, the resolution will more than double their land and will “give the Palestinians a capital of their own in eastern Jerusalem where the United States will put an embassy.”
President Trump touted that many countries are willing to help invest money into the new Palestinian state to help them thrive on their own and that their gross domestic product will “double or triple” leading to them being free of having to rely on charity and foreign aid. He continued, “perhaps most importantly my vision gives Palestinians the time to rise up and meet the challenge. Specifically, “We ask the Palestinians to permanently halt the financial compensation to terrorists” added Trump. He also said that he spoke to Mahmoud Abbas and assured him that if they abide by the peaceful prerequisites, the United States will be with them “every step of the way.”
Bringing his speech to a close, President Trump said we must “take care of the region’s youth. They are growing up with no hope.” And finally, mentioning that leaders and governments around the world have expressed they all want to see this stability in the region, Trump said, “we have an obligation to humanity to get it done.”
