The letter from Crispin Blunt and others
(June 13)** does not mention “Peace to Prosperity: a vision to improve
the lives of the Palestinian and Israeli people” – the plan
devised by the Trump administration. It is within the terms of that plan
that any extension of Israel’s sovereignty to parts of the West Bank is
contemplated.
The British Government welcomed
the American plan as “a positive step
forward”. Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, described it as “a
serious proposal”. Both Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz (Israel’s
alternating prime ministers) were present when the plan was unveiled at the
White House, and both accepted it.
The target of the plan is to
achieve a contiguous, viable sovereign Palestine comprising 70 per cent of the West Bank together with a
Gaza expanded by three substantial land swaps.
With the deal comes a huge
financial boost to the Palestinian Authority, and an economic aid package akin
to the Marshall Plan.
The Palestinian leadership has
rejected the plan. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE all gave it a
reasonable reception, some urging the Palestinians to start negotiating on its
basis.
Neville Teller
**It appears under the headline: "Opposing the Israeli government's land grab"
**It appears under the headline: "Opposing the Israeli government's land grab"
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