Trumps's ability to cut a deal in the face of these irreconcilable differences is severely hampered by the written commitments made to Israel's Prime Minister Sharon by President Bush on 14 April 2004 and overwhelmingly endorsed by the US House of Representatives by 407-9 and Senate 95-3.
Those commitments - given to Israel to secure Israel's total withdrawal from Gaza and four Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria – back Israel's above demands in any negotiations with the PLO.
It seems inconceivable that Trump - the master deal-maker – would consider reneging on the Bush- Congress-Sharon deal. If he did – Israel would not resume negotiations with the PLO. If he doesn't the PLO would not resume negotiations with Israel.
Advertisement
If Trump wants to do a deal – he needs Jordan to come to the party and enter into direct negotiations with Israel to allocate sovereignty in the West Bank between Jordan and Israel - virtually completing the original two-state formula envisaged in 1922 by article 25 of the League of Nations Mandate.
Greenblatt's meeting with King Abdullah is a possible pointer to getting such negotiations underway. Trump's undoubted brokering skills can ensure such negotiations happen.
Discuss in our Forums
See what other readers are saying about this article!
Click here to read & post comments.
2 posts so far.
About the Author
David Singer is an Australian Lawyer, a Foundation Member of the International Analyst Network and Convenor of Jordan is Palestine International - an organisation calling for sovereignty of the West Bank and Gaza to be allocated between Israel and Jordan as the two successor States to the Mandate for Palestine. Previous articles written by him can be found at www.jordanispalestine.blogspot.com.
reddit this
Del.icio.us
Seed Newsvine
StumbleUpon
