The “Deal of the Century” for Israel Palestine and the Role of Israel-Lobby
The American “Deal of the Century” is unlikely to meaningfully contribute to resolving the conflict of Israel-Palestine. Instead, it is risking the further escalation of an already tensed situation and the acceleration of the erosion of joint conflict management. Even under intense pressure, the leadership of Palestine rejected the U.S deal along with any further mediation by Washington. However, more than 100 Congress-members joined leaders around the world opposed it. The Trump deal, which was negotiated with the Prime Minister of Israel Netanyahu in the absence of the Palestinian leadership, among others, include acknowledging Jerusalem (al-Quds) as the undivided capital of Israel and allows Israel to annex illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank involving about 600,000 settlers living in 122 settlements, Jordan Valley (Palestine’s eastern borders with Jordan), as well as refusing the right of return for Palestinian refugees. It is not a “Peace Plan” by including a Palestinian state, but it is somewhat a roadmap to legitimize the policy of Israel for encroachment and land expropriation.
