Skip to main content

Netanyahu prepares for elections, makes diplomatic push

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes that supporting US President Donald Trump’s "deal of the century" by granting Palestinians 715 construction permits could help him ahead of the elections and for the composition of a future government.

RTX6ZJAG.jpg
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, July 14, 2019. — REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

In those long-ago days before the murder of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018, when the Saudi heir to the throne, Mohammed bin Salman, was considered the white knight of the West and when his father charged him with solving the problems of the Middle East, the prince made his diplomatic positions clear to US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who was then considered his spiritual brother. 

Kushner, who shared his diplomatic vision with Prince Mohammed, told him that those who tried to reach Israeli-Palestinian peace by the old methods had been burned, and that he expects him to support a new approach. Mohammed, for whom the Palestinian issue was never high on his agenda, asked about the new approach. Kushner said that he intends to show the situation in the Holy Land the day after peace is achieved. That is, to describe the huge advantages for all sides of a sustainable peace between the Palestinians and Israel, and to leave the details — what Palestinian entity would be created in the territory, where the border will fall, what will happen in Jerusalem, how to solve the refugee crisis and all the other topics that have divided the sides for many years — to be decided by the two disputing nations. 

Subscribe for unlimited access

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more

$14 monthly or $100 annually ($8.33/month)
OR

Continue reading this article for free

Access 1 free article per month when you sign up. Learn more.

By signing up, you agree to Al-Monitor’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Already have an account? Log in

Related Topics