Worse than I thought

My initial reaction to the Administration’s “Peace to Prosperity” plan for settling Israel/Palestine issues was negative, but insufficiently so. The “peace” plan is far worse than I thought.

First, there is the map. President Trump claimed the Palestinian state would be contiguous. It is not. Even on the West Bank that isn’t true, and there are several enclaves in the Negev Desert completely separated from the main populated areas, not to mention an infeasible tunnel linking Gaza with the West Bank. Palestine would be like ink drops on a greater Israel:

Second, Israel would maintain overall security control of Palestine, or should we call it Palestan, as well as the Jordan River valley. De-militarization of Palestine I understand, and in principle Mahmoud Abbas has agreed. But that is different from allowing Israel to intervene whenever and wherever it wants, as it does today, in the West Bank (and presumably Gaza in the future). Nor do I understand why Israeli tanks are needed on the Jordan River: the Kingdom on the other side depends heavily on Israel for its security and isn’t going to attack. What is the purpose of holding on to the Jordan River valley? How defensible would it be if something were to happen, with Palestinians in the rear? If the purpose is border control, there is really no need for territorial control but only an Israeli presence at Palestinian border posts.

There is more, because the plan not only imposes unreasonable limits on Palestinian sovereignty but also gives Israel just about everything it has ever asked for: all of Jerusalem, all the main settlements on the West Bank constituting about 30% of the territory, and recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. No wonder Prime Minister Netanyahu wanted this plan out in public before the next Israeli election: it is a wet dream for the Greater Israel chauvinists.

The economic portion of the plan is mostly smoke and mirrors. Lots of OPM (other people’s money) going not just to the Palestinians but also to several Arab countries to buy their silence. The million jobs created is just aspirational. There is no real plan for that or other economic benefits.

Besides: nothing happens to implement this wretched deal until Hamas is gone from Gaza. I suppose that may happen some day, but there are no indications it will be soon. The plan is counterproductive to that end, as it provides a strong incentive to vote for more radical political forces.

The Israelis it should be noted get what they want right away. Trump has greenlighted the annexation of the West Bank settlements, which the Knesset intends to pass into law promptly. This is a real estate deal in which the land grab comes first, with vague promises of payment in the future, if the Palestinians behave themselves and accept a less than sovereign and independent state. That’s worse than I thought.

For those who may wonder what the Jewish community in the US is thinking, here is a video from J Street, which is closer to the majority liberal and conservative factions than the more often cited AIPAC:

PS: One reader reports that the video doesn’t work for him. If you are having trouble, it is also up on the J Street website.