The real issue with US President Donald Trump’s Israel-Palestinian peace plan is not whether it stands a chance of resolving one of the world’s most intractable conflicts or not. More important is the fact that Israel will, in violation of international law, be empowered to unilaterally annexe occupied territory and take steps towards creating an ethnically more homogenous state by transferring a significant proportion of the Jewish state’s Israeli Palestinian population to what the plan envisions as a future Palestinian entity.

Trump, by endorsing annexation and populations transfers that violate the Fourth Geneva Convention, has put Israel at the cutting edge of an emerging new world order dominated by civilizationalist leaders.

These leaders think in terms of might is right rather than adherence to international law. They envision civilisational states that define themselves and their boundaries on the basis of a specific civilization as opposed to nation-states that are determined by internationally recognised borders, population and language and have little time for the rule of law.

In doing so Trump, like many other likeminded civilizationalist leaders is contributing to a world in which mass migration, radicalisation and increased political violence will likely pose threats on a far larger scale than they do today.

If Israel indeed moves ahead with implementation of Trump’s plan, it will likely find itself at the forefront of the civilizationalist effort to shape a new world order that pays little heed to human and minority rights anchored in international law and that rejects agreements on the status of occupied land and people that were forged in the wake of the 20th century’s devastating world wars.

Becoming a flashpoint in the struggle for the shape of a new world could prove to be&nbsp;more of a curse than a blessing for Israel.

It could turn Israel into yet another but nonetheless the prime example of what civilizationalist politics is likely to produce: A illiberal, if not authoritarian state, whose policies are at best controversial rather than, as Israel likes to see itself - the Middle East’s shining and only real democracy,

Few in the international community, including a majority of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s civilizationalist counterparts, with the exception of Trump and potentially Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro and Hungary’s Victor Orban, would recognise Israel’s unilaterally declared post-annexation borders.

Responding to Trump’s plan, conservative Gulf states praised US efforts to achieve peace and called for negotiations but were careful not to endorse Trump’s blueprint while the Arab League that groups all Arab states outright rejected the proposal.

This did not stop Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s post-popular revolt Sovereignty Council who has close ties to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, from meeting Netanyahu a day later in Uganda.

Nonetheless, few in the international community would endorse the deprival of citizenship of some 300,000 Palestinian Israelis and their transfer together with their lands in what is known as the Triangle in central Israel to a future Palestinian state.

Only 13 per cent of Israeli Palestinians surveyed last year by the Israel Democracy Institute defined themselves as first and foremost being Palestinian while 38 per cent said their primary identity was Arab.

Meanwhile, 65 per cent said they were “proud to be Israelis.” An even larger number, 83 per cent, said they strived to be full members of Israeli society.

"Peace is made with the enemy. We are residents of the state, and we are not the enemy. The prime minister wants to save his skin at the expense of inciting hatred against the Arab population," said Shuaa Massarweh Mansour, the mayor of Taiibeh, a town of 50,000 Israeli Palestinians that was included in the plan’s suggestion for a population transfer.

Mansour was referring to last month’s indictment of Netanyahu on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate corruption cases.

Demonstrations on the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip in response to the Trump plan were fairly muted but that is no guarantee that implementation will not provoke wide-spread protest directed not only against Israel and the United States but also the Palestine Authority.

Those protests would likely spread to Israeli Palestinians resident within Israeli borders prior to the 1967 Middle East war in which Israel conquered the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights that were annexed before Trump endorsed their incorporation into Israel, and Gaza.

An Israeli crackdown on the protesters would only add to problems created by the implementation of the Trump plan.

The plan appears to be designed to pre-empt what would be a worst-case civilizationalist scenario in which continued Israeli occupation would force Israel to choose between being a democracy and a Jewish state because of demographics that would likely see Palestinians becoming a majority of the population.

The irony is that the implementation of the plan without Palestinian consent and cooperation could produce the same dilemma.

As a result, Trump’s civilizational approach towards solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Netanyahu’s enthusiastic embrace of the plan threatens to not only put Israel on&nbsp;the cutting edge of the struggle to shape a new world order, but also risks turning Israel into a poster child of everything that is wrong with civilisationalism.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

The real issue with US President Donald Trump’s Israel-Palestinian peace plan is not whether it stands a chance of resolving one of the world’s most intractable conflicts or not.

The real issue with US President Donald Trump’s Israel-Palestinian peace plan is not whether it stands a chance of resolving one of the world’s most intractable conflicts or not. More important is the fact that Israel will, in violation of international law, be empowered to unilaterally annexe occupied territory and take steps towards creating an ethnically more homogenous state by transferring a significant proportion of the Jewish state’s Israeli Palestinian population to what the plan envisions as a future Palestinian entity. Trump, by endorsing annexation and populations transfers that violate the Fourth Geneva Convention, has put Israel at the cutting edge of an emerging new world order dominated by civilizationalist leaders. These leaders think in terms of might is right rather than adherence to international law. They envision civilisational states that define themselves and their boundaries on the basis of a specific civilization as opposed to nation-states that are determined by internationally recognised borders, population and language and have little time for the rule of law. In doing so Trump, like many other likeminded civilizationalist leaders is contributing to a world in which mass migration, radicalisation and increased political violence will likely pose threats on a far larger scale than they do today. If Israel indeed moves ahead with implementation of Trump’s plan, it will likely find itself at the forefront of the civilizationalist effort to shape a new world order that pays little heed to human and minority rights anchored in international law and that rejects agreements on the status of occupied land and people that were forged in the wake of the 20th century’s devastating world wars. Becoming a flashpoint in the struggle for the shape of a new world could prove to be more of a curse than a blessing for Israel. It could turn Israel into yet another but nonetheless the prime example of what civilizationalist politics is likely to produce: A illiberal, if not authoritarian state, whose policies are at best controversial rather than, as Israel likes to see itself - the Middle East’s shining and only real democracy, Few in the international community, including a majority of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s civilizationalist counterparts, with the exception of Trump and potentially Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro and Hungary’s Victor Orban, would recognise Israel’s unilaterally declared post-annexation borders. Responding to Trump’s plan, conservative Gulf states praised US efforts to achieve peace and called for negotiations but were careful not to endorse Trump’s blueprint while the Arab League that groups all Arab states outright rejected the proposal. This did not stop Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s post-popular revolt Sovereignty Council who has close ties to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, from meeting Netanyahu a day later in Uganda. Nonetheless, few in the international community would endorse the deprival of citizenship of some 300,000 Palestinian Israelis and their transfer together with their lands in what is known as the Triangle in central Israel to a future Palestinian state. Only 13 per cent of Israeli Palestinians surveyed last year by the Israel Democracy Institute defined themselves as first and foremost being Palestinian while 38 per cent said their primary identity was Arab. Meanwhile, 65 per cent said they were “proud to be Israelis.” An even larger number, 83 per cent, said they strived to be full members of Israeli society. "Peace is made with the enemy. We are residents of the state, and we are not the enemy. The prime minister wants to save his skin at the expense of inciting hatred against the Arab population," said Shuaa Massarweh Mansour, the mayor of Taiibeh, a town of 50,000 Israeli Palestinians that was included in the plan’s suggestion for a population transfer. Mansour was referring to last month’s indictment of Netanyahu on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate corruption cases. Demonstrations on the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip in response to the Trump plan were fairly muted but that is no guarantee that implementation will not provoke wide-spread protest directed not only against Israel and the United States but also the Palestine Authority. Those protests would likely spread to Israeli Palestinians resident within Israeli borders prior to the 1967 Middle East war in which Israel conquered the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights that were annexed before Trump endorsed their incorporation into Israel, and Gaza. An Israeli crackdown on the protesters would only add to problems created by the implementation of the Trump plan. The plan appears to be designed to pre-empt what would be a worst-case civilizationalist scenario in which continued Israeli occupation would force Israel to choose between being a democracy and a Jewish state because of demographics that would likely see Palestinians becoming a majority of the population. The irony is that the implementation of the plan without Palestinian consent and cooperation could produce the same dilemma. As a result, Trump’s civilizational approach towards solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Netanyahu’s enthusiastic embrace of the plan threatens to not only put Israel on the cutting edge of the struggle to shape a new world order, but also risks turning Israel into a poster child of everything that is wrong with civilisationalism. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Donald Trump's peace plan puts Israel on the cutting edge

On January 28, Trump revealed the controversial plan designed by Kushner, which calls for a two-state solution while recognizing Jerusalem as Israel''s "undivided capital".

Jared Kushner to present peace plan details to UNSC

After the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic cooperation has rejected US President's Middle East Peace plan.

The 57-member body held a summit to discuss the plan in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah. Palestinian foreign minister Riyadh al-Malki called the deal "an assault on international order".

The meeting was requested by the Palestinian leadership. The meeting of the body came two days after the Arab league rejected Trump's so-called "deal of the century", saying: "It does not meet the minimum rights and aspirations of Palestinian people."

With member states from four continents, the OIC is the second-largest intergovernmental organisation in the world after the united nations, with a collective population reaching more than 1.8 billion.

The European Union plans to assess the middle east peace plan and reaffirms its readiness to work towards the resumption of meaningful negotiations.

The EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell said that the bloc remains “firm and united” behind the quest for a negotiated two-state peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.

Borrel also talked about the importance of Jordan in resolving the conflict, especially regarding Jerusalem.

"What is happening now is beyond the border of Palestine it is an assault on the international order as we know it. The countries in our cooperation have large benefits in protecting the laws that rule the international relations after the end of world war two. We are all keen on maintaining the agreed principles to be the benchmark and trump's deal goes against all of that," Riyadh al-Malki, Foreign Minister, Palestine.

The US President Donald Trump has enraged Palestinians with a controversial peace plan which would allow Israel to keep all of its settlements in the west bank region.

The middle east plan also proposed a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and gave Israel an "undivided capital" in Jerusalem.

The 181-paged plan, dubbed by Trump as the "deal of the century", was presented in the white house on Tuesday after negotiations with Israel but with no input from the Palestinians.

After the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic cooperation has rejected US President's Middle East Peace plan. The 57-member body held a summit to discuss the plan in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah.

After the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic cooperation has rejected US President's Middle East Peace plan. The 57-member body held a summit to discuss the plan in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah. Palestinian foreign minister Riyadh al-Malki called the deal "an assault on international order". The meeting was requested by the Palestinian leadership. The meeting of the body came two days after the Arab league rejected Trump's so-called "deal of the century", saying: "It does not meet the minimum rights and aspirations of Palestinian people." With member states from four continents, the OIC is the second-largest intergovernmental organisation in the world after the united nations, with a collective population reaching more than 1.8 billion. The European Union plans to assess the middle east peace plan and reaffirms its readiness to work towards the resumption of meaningful negotiations. The EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell said that the bloc remains “firm and united” behind the quest for a negotiated two-state peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Borrel also talked about the importance of Jordan in resolving the conflict, especially regarding Jerusalem. "What is happening now is beyond the border of Palestine it is an assault on the international order as we know it. The countries in our cooperation have large benefits in protecting the laws that rule the international relations after the end of world war two. We are all keen on maintaining the agreed principles to be the benchmark and trump's deal goes against all of that," Riyadh al-Malki, Foreign Minister, Palestine. The US President Donald Trump has enraged Palestinians with a controversial peace plan which would allow Israel to keep all of its settlements in the west bank region. The middle east plan also proposed a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and gave Israel an "undivided capital" in Jerusalem. The 181-paged plan, dubbed by Trump as the "deal of the century", was presented in the white house on Tuesday after negotiations with Israel but with no input from the Palestinians.

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation rejects US President Trump's Middle East Peace plan

Jared Kushner, President Trump's White House adviser and son-in-law of the US president who has been largely responsible for stitching up the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/benjamin-netanyahu-tells-vladimir-putin-mideast-deal-a-new-opportunity-277570">Middle East peace</a> plan has said that if Palestinians are unable to meet the conditions then&nbsp;the US wouldn't be able to get "Israel to take the risk to recognize them as a state."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-unveils-middle-east-peace-plan-jerusalem-to-be-undivided-capital-277163">Also Read: Trump unveils Middle East peace plan; Jerusalem to be undivided capital</a>

In a programme on CNN with anchor Fareed Zakaria, Kushner said: "For the Palestinians, if they want their people to live better lives, we now have a framework to do it," adding, "If they don't think they can uphold these standards, then I don't think we can get Israel to take the risk to recognize them as a state."

"The only thing more dangerous than what we have now is a failed state," Kushner told Zakaria.

Kushner said the peace plan was a great deal for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-unveils-middle-east-peace-plan-draws-flak-from-palestinians-277189">Palestinians</a> while adding that "Palestinian territories amount to a police state... not exactly a thriving democracy."

Trump's aide told CNN that if the Palestinians "come to the table and negotiate" they will get "something excellent".&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jared-kushner-meet-the-man-behind-middle-east-peace-plan-277295">Also Read: Meet the man behind Middle-East peace plan</a>

However, in a harsh tone, Kushner told the US channel that "if they screw up this opportunity - which again, they have a perfect track record of missing opportunities - if they screw this up, I think that they will have a very hard time looking the international community in the face, saying they're victims."

Several countries including Britain haven't ratified the plan. The UK foreign office said it was "concerned by reports of possible moves toward annexation of parts of the West Bank by Israel."

"Any such unilateral moves would be damaging to renewed efforts to re-start peace negotiations, and contrary to international law," it said.

The plan was rejected by the Palestinians but US President Trump insisted that "it might have a chance".

"We think we will have ultimately the support of the Palestinians," Trump said, adding that the plan is "something they should want... it's very good for them, in fact it's overly good for them," while stating that "many of the Arab nations" back the plan.

Jared Kushner, President Trump's White House adviser and son-in-law of the US president who has been largely responsible for stitching up the Middle East peace plan has said that if Palestinians are unable to meet the conditions then the US wouldn't be able to get "Israel to take the risk to recognize them as a state.

Jared Kushner, President Trump's White House adviser and son-in-law of the US president who has been largely responsible for stitching up the Middle East peace plan has said that if Palestinians are unable to meet the conditions then the US wouldn't be able to get "Israel to take the risk to recognize them as a state." Also Read: Trump unveils Middle East peace plan; Jerusalem to be undivided capital In a programme on CNN with anchor Fareed Zakaria, Kushner said: "For the Palestinians, if they want their people to live better lives, we now have a framework to do it," adding, "If they don't think they can uphold these standards, then I don't think we can get Israel to take the risk to recognize them as a state." "The only thing more dangerous than what we have now is a failed state," Kushner told Zakaria. Kushner said the peace plan was a great deal for the Palestinians while adding that "Palestinian territories amount to a police state... not exactly a thriving democracy." Trump's aide told CNN that if the Palestinians "come to the table and negotiate" they will get "something excellent". Also Read: Meet the man behind Middle-East peace plan However, in a harsh tone, Kushner told the US channel that "if they screw up this opportunity - which again, they have a perfect track record of missing opportunities - if they screw this up, I think that they will have a very hard time looking the international community in the face, saying they're victims." Several countries including Britain haven't ratified the plan. The UK foreign office said it was "concerned by reports of possible moves toward annexation of parts of the West Bank by Israel." "Any such unilateral moves would be damaging to renewed efforts to re-start peace negotiations, and contrary to international law," it said. The plan was rejected by the Palestinians but US President Trump insisted that "it might have a chance". "We think we will have ultimately the support of the Palestinians," Trump said, adding that the plan is "something they should want... it's very good for them, in fact it's overly good for them," while stating that "many of the Arab nations" back the plan.

Palestinians should come to the table and negotiate: Kushner on Middle East peace plan

Israeli Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/israeli-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-says-will-continue-to-strengthen-deep-friendship-with-india-277448">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> on Thursday hailed US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/deal-signed-amid-trumps-impeachment-277533">Donald Trump</a>'s Middle East peace plan as a new opportunity after flying to Moscow to discuss it with President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-to-fund-in-vitro-fertilization-to-boom-to-battle-population-slump-277550">Vladimir&nbsp;Putin</a>.

"I think there's a new and perhaps unique opportunity here," said the Israeli premier, who stood alongside Trump at the White House when the plan was announced Tuesday and called it a victory for Israel.

Trump's plan angered Palestinians by proposing Israel retain control over Jerusalem as its "undivided capital" and giving the green light to annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jared-kushner-meet-the-man-behind-middle-east-peace-plan-277295">Jared Kushner: Meet the man behind Middle-East peace plan</a>

"I'd like to speak to you and hear your insights and see how we can combine all our forces for security and peace," Netanyahu told&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;at the start of their Kremlin meeting.

"You're actually the first leader I'm speaking with after my visit to Washington about President Trump's Deal of the Century," he added.

The Russian leader did not mention the peace plan in his public remarks.

Watch:&nbsp;Trump's Middle East 'Peace Plan' rejected by Palestine

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trumps-middle-east-peace-plan-rejected-by-palestine-277357/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Netanyahu, facing graft charges, is contesting March elections and hoping the proposal will boost his re-election chances.

The March 2 vote is Israel's third in less than a year, with polls suggesting the prime minister's rightwing Likud is again neck-and-neck with the centrist Blue and White party led by ex-military chief Benny Gantz.

Netanyahu was visiting Russia on the same day that it released a young US-Israeli woman jailed for drug trafficking over a small amount of cannabis found in her luggage as she transited a Moscow airport.&nbsp;

Her case caused an outcry in Israel and her release came after Netanyahu pleaded her case with&nbsp;Putin, who issued a pardon.&nbsp;

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday hailed US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan as a new opportunity after flying to Moscow to discuss it with President Vladimir Putin.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday hailed US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan as a new opportunity after flying to Moscow to discuss it with President Vladimir Putin. "I think there's a new and perhaps unique opportunity here," said the Israeli premier, who stood alongside Trump at the White House when the plan was announced Tuesday and called it a victory for Israel. Trump's plan angered Palestinians by proposing Israel retain control over Jerusalem as its "undivided capital" and giving the green light to annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Also read: Jared Kushner: Meet the man behind Middle-East peace plan "I'd like to speak to you and hear your insights and see how we can combine all our forces for security and peace," Netanyahu told Putin at the start of their Kremlin meeting. "You're actually the first leader I'm speaking with after my visit to Washington about President Trump's Deal of the Century," he added. The Russian leader did not mention the peace plan in his public remarks. Watch: Trump's Middle East 'Peace Plan' rejected by Palestine Netanyahu, facing graft charges, is contesting March elections and hoping the proposal will boost his re-election chances. The March 2 vote is Israel's third in less than a year, with polls suggesting the prime minister's rightwing Likud is again neck-and-neck with the centrist Blue and White party led by ex-military chief Benny Gantz. Netanyahu was visiting Russia on the same day that it released a young US-Israeli woman jailed for drug trafficking over a small amount of cannabis found in her luggage as she transited a Moscow airport. Her case caused an outcry in Israel and her release came after Netanyahu pleaded her case with Putin, who issued a pardon.

Middle East peace plan a new opportunity: Netanyahu to Putin

A US-Israeli woman jailed for drug trafficking in Russia flew into Tel Aviv with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday after she was pardoned by President Vladimir Putin.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/benjamin-netanyahu-tells-vladimir-putin-mideast-deal-a-new-opportunity-277570">Also Read:&nbsp;Middle East Peace plan a new opportunity: Netanyahu to Putin</a>

Israeli TV stations screened live coverage of 26-year-old Naama Issachar's arrival at Ben Gurion airport, near Tel Aviv.&nbsp;

"I just want to say thank you to everyone for all the support," she said smiling. "Right now I'm still in shock from the whole situation." &nbsp;

Russia freed her from prison shortly before Netanyahu met Putin at the Kremlin to discuss US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan.

Bringing Issachar home after 10 months in prison was a publicity coup for Netanyahu ahead of March 2 elections.

Her fate had sparked a wave of sympathy in Israel, where the veteran premier had pledged to do everything for her release.

She was arrested at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport in April 2019 while in transit from India to Israel.

Russian authorities said they found nine grammes (0.3 ounces) of cannabis in her checked luggage and she was sentenced in October to seven and a half years in prison.&nbsp;

Her case was controversial because she was arrested whilst in the airport's transit zone, while the drugs were in her hold luggage.

Netanyahu posted a video on Twitter showing him and his wife hugging and kissing Issachar and her mother at a Moscow airport before their departure.

"We're excited to see you. Now, we're going home," his office quoted Netanyahu as telling Issachar.

&nbsp; 
- 'Didn't cross border' -&nbsp; 
Putin had pardoned Issachar on Wednesday after she submitted a request at the weekend.&nbsp;

"Guided by the principles of humanity, I pardon Naama Issachar," he said in a decree cited by the Kremlin.&nbsp;

The prison service said early Thursday that she had been released from a penal colony in the Moscow region.

Putin told Netanyahu that it was lucky for Issachar that she did not cross the border, suggesting this would have complicated the pardon procedure.

"She -- thank God, it's very good for her -- didn't even cross the Russian border," Putin said, adding that the drugs were found in her luggage while it was being moved from one plane to another.

"Give my very best regards to her, her family and her mum," he told Netanyahu.

In December, Issachar lost an appeal against her sentence, which Netanyahu had described as disproportionate.

During the appeal hearing, Issachar had proclaimed her innocence, denouncing the charges against her as absurd.

After initially refusing to appeal to Putin, on Sunday she signed a request for a pardon.

The Russian leader met Issachar's mother and Netanyahu while visiting Israel last week to commemorate the liberation of the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz 75 years ago.&nbsp;

The Israeli foreign ministry had called the verdict "harsh and disproportionate" and President Reuven Rivlin had appealed to Putin's "mercy and compassion" when asking him to intervene in the case.

Netanyahu and Putin on Thursday also discussed Trump's Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, but Putin did not comment on the proposal in front of the reporters.

Netanyahu had stood alongside Trump at the White House when the peace plan was announced Tuesday, and called it a victory for Israel.

He told Putin he was the first foreign leader he had spoken to about the plan, adding: "I'd like to speak to you and hear your insights and see how we can combine all our forces for security and peace."

Russia has said it will study Trump's plan and called on Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate directly to find a "mutually acceptable compromise".

A US-Israeli woman jailed for drug trafficking in Russia flew into Tel Aviv with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday after she was pardoned by President Vladimir Putin.

A US-Israeli woman jailed for drug trafficking in Russia flew into Tel Aviv with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday after she was pardoned by President Vladimir Putin. Also Read: Middle East Peace plan a new opportunity: Netanyahu to Putin Israeli TV stations screened live coverage of 26-year-old Naama Issachar's arrival at Ben Gurion airport, near Tel Aviv. "I just want to say thank you to everyone for all the support," she said smiling. "Right now I'm still in shock from the whole situation." Russia freed her from prison shortly before Netanyahu met Putin at the Kremlin to discuss US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan. Bringing Issachar home after 10 months in prison was a publicity coup for Netanyahu ahead of March 2 elections. Her fate had sparked a wave of sympathy in Israel, where the veteran premier had pledged to do everything for her release. She was arrested at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport in April 2019 while in transit from India to Israel. Russian authorities said they found nine grammes (0.3 ounces) of cannabis in her checked luggage and she was sentenced in October to seven and a half years in prison. Her case was controversial because she was arrested whilst in the airport's transit zone, while the drugs were in her hold luggage. Netanyahu posted a video on Twitter showing him and his wife hugging and kissing Issachar and her mother at a Moscow airport before their departure. "We're excited to see you. Now, we're going home," his office quoted Netanyahu as telling Issachar. - 'Didn't cross border' - Putin had pardoned Issachar on Wednesday after she submitted a request at the weekend. "Guided by the principles of humanity, I pardon Naama Issachar," he said in a decree cited by the Kremlin. The prison service said early Thursday that she had been released from a penal colony in the Moscow region. Putin told Netanyahu that it was lucky for Issachar that she did not cross the border, suggesting this would have complicated the pardon procedure. "She -- thank God, it's very good for her -- didn't even cross the Russian border," Putin said, adding that the drugs were found in her luggage while it was being moved from one plane to another. "Give my very best regards to her, her family and her mum," he told Netanyahu. In December, Issachar lost an appeal against her sentence, which Netanyahu had described as disproportionate. During the appeal hearing, Issachar had proclaimed her innocence, denouncing the charges against her as absurd. After initially refusing to appeal to Putin, on Sunday she signed a request for a pardon. The Russian leader met Issachar's mother and Netanyahu while visiting Israel last week to commemorate the liberation of the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz 75 years ago. The Israeli foreign ministry had called the verdict "harsh and disproportionate" and President Reuven Rivlin had appealed to Putin's "mercy and compassion" when asking him to intervene in the case. Netanyahu and Putin on Thursday also discussed Trump's Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, but Putin did not comment on the proposal in front of the reporters. Netanyahu had stood alongside Trump at the White House when the peace plan was announced Tuesday, and called it a victory for Israel. He told Putin he was the first foreign leader he had spoken to about the plan, adding: "I'd like to speak to you and hear your insights and see how we can combine all our forces for security and peace." Russia has said it will study Trump's plan and called on Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate directly to find a "mutually acceptable compromise".

US-Israeli woman pardoned by Putin flies home with PM Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump's peace plan for West Asia delights Israel but fails to recognise Palestinian sovereign ambition.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-unveils-middle-east-peace-plan-jerusalem-to-be-undivided-capital-277163">Also Read: Trump unveils Middle East peace plan; Jerusalem to be undivided capital</a>

The plan attaches nearly impossible conditions for granting the Palestinians their hoped-for state that sides with Israel on borders, the status of Jerusalem and Jewish settlements.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-insists-israeli-palestinian-plan-has-a-chance-276949">Also Read: Trump insists Israeli-Palestinian plan has a 'chance'</a> 
&nbsp; 
It's being proclaimed as the deal of the century. Many Presidents before Donald Trump have tried and all of them have failed to bring peace between Israel and Palestine. 
&nbsp; 
So how is Donald Trump's deal different from the earlier ones. For starters, Israel supports the deal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude to Trump and said this was an opportunity of the century. 
&nbsp; 
Netanyahu's gratitude towards Trump is because the deal is stacked largely in Israel's favour.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trumps-west-asia-plan-is-the-last-chance-to-bring-peace-says-jared-kushner-trump-277191/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Major takeaways from the "deal of the century"

There will be a 4-year freeze on Israeli settlements which means a halt in the expansion of Israel's construction activities in the West Bank. 
&nbsp; 
The deal promises to double the area under the control of the Palestinian authorities. But a major portion of the West Bank settlements will be recognised under Israeli sovereignty. 
&nbsp; 
Trump has vowed to grant statehood to Palestine if it demilitarises and stops funding terror groups. As expected the deal does advocate the 2-state solution.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/key-takeaways-from-trumps-west-asia-plan-277188/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to the President, an undivided Jerusalem will be the capital of Israel. 
&nbsp; 
In the same breath, Trump also said he would proudly open a US embassy in a Palestinian capital in eastern Jerusalem. It's still unclear as to how such an arrangement could work.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/world-reacts-to-trumps-west-asia-plan-277190/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The contentious Jordan valley has been recognised as part of Israel due to national security reasons. And on the economic front, Palestine has been promised $50 billion in investment with more than a million jobs to be created. 
&nbsp; 
The deal continues to draw on many aspects from the Oslo accords, including the region's map. The architect of the plan, Jared Kushner has said that the different parts of Palestine will be linked using tunnels, overbridges and huge highways. 
&nbsp; 
Both Kushner and Trump called this deal the last chance for peace in the region.The major stakeholder in the deal, Palestine have outrightly rejected the deal. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called it the slap of the century. 
&nbsp; 
But according to Jared Kushner, the Palestinians look like fools for rejecting the deal. He said this is an opportunity for Palestine to prove that they truly want statehood.

US President Donald Trump's peace plan for West Asia delights Israel but fails to recognise Palestinian sovereign ambition. Also Read: Trump unveils Middle East peace plan; Jerusalem to be undivided capital The plan attaches nearly impossible conditions for granting the Palestinians their hoped-for state that sides with Israel on borders, the status of Jerusalem and Jewish settlements.

US President Donald Trump's peace plan for West Asia delights Israel but fails to recognise Palestinian sovereign ambition. Also Read: Trump unveils Middle East peace plan; Jerusalem to be undivided capital The plan attaches nearly impossible conditions for granting the Palestinians their hoped-for state that sides with Israel on borders, the status of Jerusalem and Jewish settlements. Also Read: Trump insists Israeli-Palestinian plan has a 'chance' It's being proclaimed as the deal of the century. Many Presidents before Donald Trump have tried and all of them have failed to bring peace between Israel and Palestine. So how is Donald Trump's deal different from the earlier ones. For starters, Israel supports the deal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude to Trump and said this was an opportunity of the century. Netanyahu's gratitude towards Trump is because the deal is stacked largely in Israel's favour. Major takeaways from the "deal of the century" There will be a 4-year freeze on Israeli settlements which means a halt in the expansion of Israel's construction activities in the West Bank. The deal promises to double the area under the control of the Palestinian authorities. But a major portion of the West Bank settlements will be recognised under Israeli sovereignty. Trump has vowed to grant statehood to Palestine if it demilitarises and stops funding terror groups. As expected the deal does advocate the 2-state solution. According to the President, an undivided Jerusalem will be the capital of Israel. In the same breath, Trump also said he would proudly open a US embassy in a Palestinian capital in eastern Jerusalem. It's still unclear as to how such an arrangement could work. The contentious Jordan valley has been recognised as part of Israel due to national security reasons. And on the economic front, Palestine has been promised $50 billion in investment with more than a million jobs to be created. The deal continues to draw on many aspects from the Oslo accords, including the region's map. The architect of the plan, Jared Kushner has said that the different parts of Palestine will be linked using tunnels, overbridges and huge highways. Both Kushner and Trump called this deal the last chance for peace in the region.The major stakeholder in the deal, Palestine have outrightly rejected the deal. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called it the slap of the century. But according to Jared Kushner, the Palestinians look like fools for rejecting the deal. He said this is an opportunity for Palestine to prove that they truly want statehood.

Palestinians infuriated as Trump unveils Middle-East peace plan with Jerusalem as Capital

US President Donald Trump while unveiling the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-unveils-middle-east-peace-plan-draws-flak-from-palestinians-277189">Middle East peace plan</a> said Israel was taking "a big step towards peace".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-insists-israeli-palestinian-plan-has-a-chance-276949">Also Read: Trump insists Israeli-Palestinian plan has a 'chance'</a>

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-trump-to-unveil-middle-east-peace-plan-277128">US president</a> added he was saddened by the plight of the Palestinians.&nbsp;

Trump with Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu by his side declared <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trumps-peace-plan-calls-for-two-states-settlement-freeze-wion-news-world-news-277173">the plan made the region safer</a> and more prosperous.

"Palestinians deserve a far better life,"&nbsp;the US president asserted. "Today, Israel has taken a giant step toward peace," he said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/gravitas-trump-west-asia-plan-peace-deal-without-palestine-277168/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"Yesterday, Prime Minister Netanyahu informed me that he is willing to endorse the vision as the basis for direct negotiations - and, I will say, (opposition leader Benny Gantz) also endorsed and very strongly - with the Palestinians a historic breakthrough," Trump asserted.

The US president said the Mideast plan was 80 pages long and the "most detailed" ever.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/trump-unveils-west-asia-plan-offers-realistic-two-state-solution-277183/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"I was not elected to do small things," the US president declared.&nbsp;"This is the last opportunity the Palestinians will ever have," Trump said.

"Jerusalem will remain Israel's undivided capital," Trump said while expanding on the plan, adding, "Mideast plan proposes a realistic two-state solution."&nbsp;&nbsp;The president added that he had written to Palestinian leader Abbas on the plan.

"<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/palestinian-prime-minister-calls-on-world-to-boycott-donald-trumps-peace-plan-276902">No Palestinians</a> will be uprooted," Trump insisted.&nbsp;The US president said the Palestinians will have their capital in east Jerusalem.

While presenting the plan, the US president proposed a four-year freeze of Israeli development in the area eyed for the&nbsp;Palestinian state.

Israel PM Netanyahu thanked Trump for the plan and said it was a "historic day".&nbsp; "The US Middle East plan is a great plan for Israel and peace."&nbsp;

"US to recognise settlements as part of Israel," Netanyahu said.

"US and Israel are scripting history together," he said.

US President Donald Trump while unveiling the Middle East peace plan said Israel was taking "a big step towards peace". Also Read: Trump insists Israeli-Palestinian plan has a 'chance' The US president added he was saddened by the plight of the Palestinians.

US President Donald Trump while unveiling the Middle East peace plan said Israel was taking "a big step towards peace". Also Read: Trump insists Israeli-Palestinian plan has a 'chance' The US president added he was saddened by the plight of the Palestinians. Trump with Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu by his side declared the plan made the region safer and more prosperous. "Palestinians deserve a far better life," the US president asserted. "Today, Israel has taken a giant step toward peace," he said. × "Yesterday, Prime Minister Netanyahu informed me that he is willing to endorse the vision as the basis for direct negotiations - and, I will say, (opposition leader Benny Gantz) also endorsed and very strongly - with the Palestinians a historic breakthrough," Trump asserted. The US president said the Mideast plan was 80 pages long and the "most detailed" ever. × "I was not elected to do small things," the US president declared. "This is the last opportunity the Palestinians will ever have," Trump said. "Jerusalem will remain Israel's undivided capital," Trump said while expanding on the plan, adding, "Mideast plan proposes a realistic two-state solution." The president added that he had written to Palestinian leader Abbas on the plan. "No Palestinians will be uprooted," Trump insisted. The US president said the Palestinians will have their capital in east Jerusalem. While presenting the plan, the US president proposed a four-year freeze of Israeli development in the area eyed for the Palestinian state. Israel PM Netanyahu thanked Trump for the plan and said it was a "historic day". "The US Middle East plan is a great plan for Israel and peace." "US to recognise settlements as part of Israel," Netanyahu said. "US and Israel are scripting history together," he said.

Trump unveils Middle East peace plan; Jerusalem to be undivided capital

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled his much-awaited peace plan on Tuesday at the White House. Alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said his plan is "a win-win" for both Israel and the Palestinians.

Trump, Netanyahu make joint statements from White House

U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his much-awaited peace plan on Tuesday at the White House. Alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said his plan is "a win-win" for both Israel and the Palestinians.

Trump's Peace Plan Calls for Two States, Settlement Freeze

The Palestinians remain committed to ending the Israeli occupation and establishing a state with its capital in east Jerusalem, Abbas said at a news conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah, where the Western-backed Palestinian Authority is headquartered.

Trump's Middle East 'Peace Plan' rejected by Palestine

Before becoming an Advisor to the President of the United States, Kushner was, and some would argue that he still is, a real estate developer who married Donald Trump's daughter.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-unveils-middle-east-peace-plan-draws-flak-from-palestinians-277189">Also read: Palestinians livid as Trump unveils Middle-East plan with Jerusalem as Capital</a>

Per his new position, Kushner was tasked with promoting American innovation, overseeing arms sales to Saudi Arabia and resolving the US opioid crisis.

Many have speculated that Kushner was also appointed to oversee the conflict between Israel and Palestine even though he has no experience of Middle East diplomacy simply because he has close ties to the Netanyahu family.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-unveils-middle-east-peace-plan-jerusalem-to-be-undivided-capital-277163">Also Read: Trump unveils Middle East peace plan; Jerusalem to be undivided capital</a>

A lack of experience in Middle East negotiations could be an asset in forging a peace agreement, compared to the well-read who struggled with the matter for years in an attempt to establish checkpoints and access to Gaza.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-insists-israeli-palestinian-plan-has-a-chance-276949">Also Read: Trump insists Israeli-Palestinian plan has a 'chance'</a>

Among the matters Jared Kushner was charged with when President Trump was elected, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was one that the POTUS's son-in-law decided to begin with a completely blank slate. He was adamant at the outset to never discuss history with the Palestinians or the Israelis or anyone else.

A daring approach this was to take, especially in a region steeped in conflict since time immemorial. Kushner decided to deal with the problem by engineering a proposed settlement without any consultation with either of the parties involved. That was how this "ultimate deal" was conceived, the one Trump is expected to formally present to Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister at the White House.

Details of the deal have been widely criticized for favouring Israel by opening the door to its annexation of large parts of the occupied territories and giving it almost total control of Jerusalem.

Kushner's team was an obvious clue as to where the process was heading, for it included individuals such as David Friedman, a lawyer who had close ties to the Jewish settler movement in the occupied territories and the guy who Trump appointed as US ambassador to Israel.

Friedman has often likened members of a liberal US Jewish group to Nazi collaborators for their criticism of the Israeli government’s actions and questioned the need for a Palestinian State.

Palestinians were alienated by the Trump administration with a series of actions favouring Israel, such as slashing funding for Palestinian refugees and moving the US embassy to Jerusalem.

Kushner then garnered support from Egypt’s authoritarian president, the kings of Saudi Arabia and Jordan to pressure the Palestinian Authority into going along with the White House plan.

The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman was among those wooed by Kushner, which some have speculated - alongside military contracts - could be the reason behind inaction on part of the Trump administration over the murder of the Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Before becoming an Advisor to the President of the United States, Kushner was, and some would argue that he still is, a real estate developer who married Donald Trump's daughter.

Before becoming an Advisor to the President of the United States, Kushner was, and some would argue that he still is, a real estate developer who married Donald Trump's daughter. Also read: Palestinians livid as Trump unveils Middle-East plan with Jerusalem as Capital Per his new position, Kushner was tasked with promoting American innovation, overseeing arms sales to Saudi Arabia and resolving the US opioid crisis. Many have speculated that Kushner was also appointed to oversee the conflict between Israel and Palestine even though he has no experience of Middle East diplomacy simply because he has close ties to the Netanyahu family. Also Read: Trump unveils Middle East peace plan; Jerusalem to be undivided capital A lack of experience in Middle East negotiations could be an asset in forging a peace agreement, compared to the well-read who struggled with the matter for years in an attempt to establish checkpoints and access to Gaza. Also Read: Trump insists Israeli-Palestinian plan has a 'chance' Among the matters Jared Kushner was charged with when President Trump was elected, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was one that the POTUS's son-in-law decided to begin with a completely blank slate. He was adamant at the outset to never discuss history with the Palestinians or the Israelis or anyone else. A daring approach this was to take, especially in a region steeped in conflict since time immemorial. Kushner decided to deal with the problem by engineering a proposed settlement without any consultation with either of the parties involved. That was how this "ultimate deal" was conceived, the one Trump is expected to formally present to Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister at the White House. Details of the deal have been widely criticized for favouring Israel by opening the door to its annexation of large parts of the occupied territories and giving it almost total control of Jerusalem. Kushner's team was an obvious clue as to where the process was heading, for it included individuals such as David Friedman, a lawyer who had close ties to the Jewish settler movement in the occupied territories and the guy who Trump appointed as US ambassador to Israel. Friedman has often likened members of a liberal US Jewish group to Nazi collaborators for their criticism of the Israeli government’s actions and questioned the need for a Palestinian State. Palestinians were alienated by the Trump administration with a series of actions favouring Israel, such as slashing funding for Palestinian refugees and moving the US embassy to Jerusalem. Kushner then garnered support from Egypt’s authoritarian president, the kings of Saudi Arabia and Jordan to pressure the Palestinian Authority into going along with the White House plan. The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman was among those wooed by Kushner, which some have speculated - alongside military contracts - could be the reason behind inaction on part of the Trump administration over the murder of the Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Jared Kushner: Meet the man behind Middle-East peace plan

U.S. President Donald Trump will unveil his long-delayed Middle East peace plan at the White House, outlining the proposal in a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

WION Dispatch: Trump To Unveil Middle East Peace Plan

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to disclose details of his Middle East peace plan to Israeli leaders on Monday

WION Fineprint: Trump To Unveils Middle East Peace Plan

middle-east-peace-plan

Middle East Peace Plan, News on Middle East Peace Plan, stories on Middle East Peace Plan, articles on Middle East Peace Plan, Middle East Peace Plan stories at Wion, Middle East Peace Plan news, Middle East Peace Plan latest news

middle east-peace-plan