Trump's Historic Middle East Peace Deal Awaits His Action
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has a historic opportunity to broker lasting peace in the Middle East by resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and fostering a new regional order. This requires a comprehensive approach involving Israeli policy changes, Palestinian democratic elections, and Saudi Arabian involvement. The article emphasizes that such a peace deal, if achieved within Trump's remaining term, could redefine the region for generations.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Donald Trump can achieve a historic legacy by brokering Middle East peace, building on the Abraham Accords.
- A new regional order requires a two-state solution, with an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
- Israel needs a new government willing to pursue conflict resolution and Palestinian self-determination.
- Free and fair Palestinian elections are crucial for choosing new leadership and a path to peace.
- Saudi Arabia's role is vital for normalization and integrating Palestinian statehood into regional peace.
- Trump must push both Israel and Palestinians towards concrete steps for a lasting peace agreement.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has a significant opportunity to achieve a historic legacy by brokering peace in the Middle East, according to Dr. Gershon Baskin. Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to be remembered as a president who ended wars and closed deals others could not. While the Abraham Accords, signed during his first term, established new relations between Israel and several Arab nations, they left the core Israeli-Palestinian conflict unresolved.
The article argues that a new normalization with Saudi Arabia, dubbed Abraham Accords 2.0, must go beyond diplomatic ties to foster a new regional order based on peace, security, economic cooperation, and a two-state solution, with an independent Palestinian state living alongside Israel. This, it suggests, could reshape the Middle East for generations.
In Israel, the recent election results present a possibility for a new coalition led by Gadi Eisenkot, potentially replacing Benjamin Netanyahu's government. However, the piece stresses that a change in leadership alone is insufficient; a new Israeli government must actively pursue conflict resolution, halt settlement expansion, and address Jewish terrorism in the West Bank, recognizing Palestinian self-determination as crucial for Israel's long-term security and regional integration.
Urgent challenges also exist on the Palestinian side, with no presidential elections since 2005 and no legislative elections since 2006. The article calls for free and fair elections for the Palestinian presidency and legislative council, supported by the U.S. and regional partners, to enable Palestinians to choose new leadership committed to a diplomatic end to the occupation and the establishment of a state alongside Israel.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is identified as a key player, possessing the regional influence and resources to aid in building a new Middle East. True normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel requires the inclusion of Palestinian freedom and statehood as integral components, not issues to be bypassed. The vision includes full diplomatic relations, a regional security framework, and significant economic development, potentially leveraging the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
For Trump to succeed, he must demand difficult concessions from both allies and adversaries, urging Israel to end the permanent occupation and Palestinians to embrace democratic legitimacy and responsible governance. The article concludes that Trump has less than two years to act, with the potential to transform the Middle East from a region defined by conflict to one of peace and prosperity.