Who could have dreamed we'd be in such a good position? A US administration has rebutted the false Palestinian narrative, terminated aid that was being channeled to terrorists, and reversed the Obama administration's policies on Iran, Jerusalem, the Golan and the settlements.
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But the highpoint of the recent past is the release of the Trump Mideast peace plan. For the first time, there is an outline of a solution based on reality, supported by both dominant parties and most Israelis.
The basic tenets of the plan include:
- Recognition of Israel's rights to Judea and Samaria
- Assurance of defensible borders
- United Jerusalem as Israel's capital
- Extension of Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and the settlements
- A demilitarized Palestinian state comprising the Gaza Strip and around 70% of Judea and Samaria, with a capital in part of eastern Jerusalem, subject to the disarming of Hamas and Palestinian acceptance of coexistence, renunciation of violence, and recognition of Israel as a Jewish state
- Provision of $50 billion in aid to build the infrastructure and economy of the Palestinian state
- Territorial adjustments, taking demographics into consideration, to be finalized by a joint US-Israel team
- A four-year negotiating period during which the Palestinians must comply with the preconditions for statehood
The plan is probably close to what the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin contemplated when he approved negotiations with the Palestine Liberation Organization.
Netanyahu deserves the credit for this momentous change. Together with the Trump administration, he has achieved what no one thought was possible: a complete reset of the international community's viewpoint on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The UK, Europe and many moderate Sunni Arab states are signaling that they are not opposed to the plan.
For the first time since Oslo, there is a political consensus in Israel on how to relate to the Palestinian conflict. Hopefully, the forthcoming election results will not tempt Blue and White to retract its endorsement of the plan in order to curry favor with the far Left.
The plan may not achieve peace but it neutralizes the false Arab narrative, legitimizes settlement blocs, and affirms a united Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Unsurprisingly, the Palestinians and their allies are furious. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas would reject any proposal that concedes Jewish sovereignty or recognition of Israel as a Jewish state.
The plan's substantial aid package would enable the Palestinians to reinvent themselves as a leading economic player in the region. We can only hope that a new Palestinian leadership will emerge who is prepared to embrace this great opportunity.
The Israeli far Left and Arab parties oppose the plan, arguing that peace can only be achieved through direct negotiations with the Palestinians. But Israel has tried this repeatedly and was consistently rebuffed.
The Israeli far Right rejects the plan because it allows for a Palestinian state – which displays their complete misunderstanding. The state proposed by the plan would not be essentially different from the autonomy that exists today.
Despite these dramatic developments, our dysfunctional political system and our leaders' personal political ambitions could lead to a disastrous forfeiting of this unique opportunity.
Those demanding immediate annexation are jeopardizing the entire plan. It is only if such steps are coordinated with the US that Israel will enjoy international recognition and legitimacy. Whether implemented now or in several months is immaterial.
Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's attempt to undermine the US peace plan in a joint press conference with Abbas is unconscionable.
All of this is taking place during the runup to the third election, which indicators predict will lead to a third impasse.
Blue and White head Benny Gantz's recent statements suggest that he lacks the leadership to finalize this deal.
We should remind Netanyahu and Gantz that with Trump soon facing his own election, there may be only a small window of opportunity to transform this plan into reality. If the forthcoming election results in further deadlock, Trump and his evangelical Christian base will likely become exasperated. If this happens and the plan is scrapped, it will be a self-inflicted disaster that will outrage most Israelis.
The Trump plan can only succeed if there is consensus in Israel endorsing its implementation. After the last election, Netanyahu undertook to stand down after six months. If the upcoming election is again inconclusive and Netanyahu makes a similar offer, six months would be sufficient to oversee the parameters of the peace plan.
This would require temporary suspension of the feud between Likud and Blue and White. Gantz could demonstrate his leadership by moving in this direction even without the full support of Blue and White Co-Chairman Yair Lapid. The historic significance of this plan must override any political or personal considerations.
