17 Sep 2024 5:51 am
10/7/2023jerrab » 17 Sep 2024, 4:02 am » wrote: ↑ ---------------------------------------------------
The election of Donald Trump let Israel off the hook. He was pro-Israel and pro-settlements and he campaigned on a promise to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
President-elect Trump tweeted his opposition to the Security Council resolution and promised that things will change after January 20. Netanyahu conveyed to the president-elect and his team his opposition to a Palestinian state well in advance of inauguration.
He also assured his hawkish ministers at home that he would make it clear to Trump that all he is willing to concede to the Palestinians is a “state minus”, suggesting a level of autonomy well short of statehood.
At the press conference with Netanyahu, Trump denounced what he regarded as unfair and one-sided action against Israel at the UN and indicated that he would not hesitate to use the veto to protect the US’ junior ally.
His other comments were practically identical to the Israeli government’s talking points: Trump criticised the Palestinians for their alleged incitement of their children to hate Israelis, he urged the Palestinians to recognise Israel as a Jewish state, and he stressed that it is the parties themselves who must work out the peace deal.
This ignored the staggering asymmetry of power between the parties which precludes a voluntary agreement: Israel is too strong and the Palestinians are too weak. Hence the need for a third party to redress the balance.