Credit:  UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe /   Feb. 11, 2020.   Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, addresses the United Nations Security Council meeting  at UN world headquarters in New York  on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

By Gary Raynaldo      DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED NATIONS  –  NEW YORK   –  Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas staunchly rejected  United States President Donald Trump’s so-called Middle East plan during Tuesday’s UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East.  The Palestinian President told  the Council that the US plan will not bring peace or stability to the region as it annuls the legitimacy of Palestinians’ rights, including the right to self-determination.  It would also create a Palestinian State that would, in effect, look “like a Swiss cheese”,  President Abbas added, with so many Israeli settlements remaining.  The US plan would legalize Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and allow annexation of parts of the West Bank, while Jerusalem would remain the “undivided” capital of Israel, among other proposals.

“I have come to you today to reaffirm the Palestinian position that rejects the Israeli-American proposal.”

-Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas

The Palestinian leader further stated: “I would like to reaffirm that this plan, or any part in this plan, should not be considered as an international reference for negotiations”.

Credit:  UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe /   Feb. 11, 2020.   Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, addresses the United Nations Security Council meeting  at UN world headquarters in New York  on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.  Abbas held maps dating back to 1948 of the ever dwindling Palestinian space. “Every time I look at this map, I lose hope,” he said.

“This is an Israeli-American preemptive plan in order to put an end to the question of Palestine.  It was rejected by us because it considers that East Jerusalem is no longer under the sovereignty of the State of Palestine: that alone is enough for us to reject this plan.” 

-Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas

ISRAEL Strongly Backs President  Trump’s  Middle East Plan 

Credit:  Gary Raynaldo / © Diplomatic Times / Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon speaks to reporters before UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East at world headquarters in New York Feb. 11, 2020.

DIPLOMATIC TIMES Video /  Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon speaks to reporters before UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East at world headquarters in New York Feb. 11, 2020.

DIPLOMATIC TIMES Video /  Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon speaks to reporters in Hebrew before UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East at world headquarters in New York Feb. 11, 2020.

For Israeli ambassador Danny Danon, the US plan offers a “sane approach” to address the longstanding conflict, as all previous attempts have failed.

“What this plan does differently is refuse to accept the same out-of-date concepts of previous peace plans. This plan refuses to accept that the only way to solve the conflict is with a formula that has failed for over 70 years”, he said. 

“The plan represents the requirement of a realistic approach that is not afraid to incorporate innovative ideas to address the concerns of both parties.  It represents the necessity of a pragmatic approach in order to solve a complex problem.”

Credit:  Gary Raynaldo / © Diplomatic Times /   Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, (Center) outside United Nations Security Council chambers after addressing  meeting  at UN world headquarters in New York  on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question Feb. 11, 2020.

U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft Praises President Trump’s Middle East Plan

“As President Trump said two weeks ago, he wants this plan, and I quote, “to be a great deal for the Palestinians. It has to be.” And it is. In laying the foundations for widespread economic opportunity, the United States’ plan is more than a path to Palestinian independence – it is a blueprint for the construction of a flourishing Palestinian state. This is not a proposal of peace in theory, but of dignity in practice. The United States believes that this plan is realistic and implementable. And I will repeat here what Senior Adviser Jared Kushner has asserted on multiple occasions: this plan is not a “take it or leave it.” It is not a “my way or the highway.” It is not set in stone. Rather, it is an opening offer. It is the beginning of a conversation – not the end of one.”

 -Ambassador Kelly Craft Permanent Representative U.S. Mission to the United Nations

Credit:  Gary Raynaldo / © Diplomatic Times /  Ambassador Kelly Craft Permanent Representative U.S. Mission to the United Nations after UN Security Council meeting Feb. 11, 2020

“But I want to make clear that the United States also stands by the Palestinian people and supports their will for a better future for themselves, and for their children. My fervent hope is that after today’s rhetoric clears, Palestinian leaders will see this plan for the opportunity it is, roll up their sleeves, and seize this chance to sit down with the leaders of Israel to begin a new conversation. Continuing to leave this conflict unresolved only benefits the extremists who seek to radicalize younger generations and perpetuate the cycle of terrorism.”

 -Ambassador Kelly Craft Permanent Representative U.S. Mission to the United Nations

Credit:  Gary Raynaldo / © Diplomatic Times /  Ambassador Kelly Craft Permanent Representative U.S. Mission to the United Nations addresses reporters after UN Security Council meeting Feb. 11, 2020

“President Abbas, President Trump has stated, “I want you to know that if you choose the path to peace, America and many other countries will – we will be there.”

-Ambassador Kelly Craft Permanent Representative U.S. Mission to the United Nations

Credit:  Gary Raynaldo / © Diplomatic Times /  United Nations Secretary General  António Guterres after UN Security Council meeting Feb. 11, 2020

UN Secretary General  António Guterres reiterated the Organization’s continued support for a two-State solution:

“This is a time for dialogue, for reconciliation, for reason. I urge Israeli and Palestinian leaders to demonstrate the necessary will required to advance the goal of a just and lasting peace, which the international community must support.”

Credit:  Gary Raynaldo / © Diplomatic Times /  Jewish supporters of a Palestinian State rally across the  street from United Nations in New York as Security Council met on the Middle East situation Feb 11, 2020.

Credit:  Gary Raynaldo / © Diplomatic Times /  Jewish supporters of a Palestinian State rally across the  street from United Nations in New York as Security Council met on the Middle East situation Feb 11, 2020.