Trump chooses Arab League over PLO to end conflict with Israel

[Published 23 May 2019]

President Trump has finally given up on the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) negotiating with Israel to end the Jewish- Arab conflict by decisively moving to involve the Arab League to fill that negotiating void.

This development follows the issue of a Joint Statement by President Trump with the Kingdom of Bahrain on May 19:

“The Kingdom of Bahrain, in partnership with the United States, will host the “Peace to Prosperity” economic workshop in Manama on June 25 and June 26, 2019. This workshop is a pivotal opportunity to convene government, civil society,

“Peace to Prosperity” will facilitate discussions on an ambitious, achievable vision and framework for a prosperous future for the Palestinian people and the region, including enhancements to economic governance, development of human capital, and facilitation of rapid private-sector growth. If implemented, this vision has the potential to radically transform lives and put the region on a path toward a brighter future.”

US Secretary to the Treasury —Steve Mnuchin —spelled out who could be involved:

“I look forward to these important discussions about a vision that will offer Palestinians exciting new opportunities to realize their full potential. This workshop will engage leaders from across the entire Middle East to promote economic growth and opportunity for the people in this important region,”

Bahrain Minister of Finance and National Economy Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa was equally as positive:

“The ‘Peace to Prosperity’ workshop underscores the close strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States as well as the strong and shared interest in creating thriving economic opportunities that benefit the region”

The workshop is the culmination of a process begun on March 13, 2018 when President Trump hosted a conference at the White House with representatives from 20 countries to discuss the deteriorating humanitarian and economic conditions in Gaza. Israel and seven Arab states were present — Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan,Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates - but not the PLO - which refused to attend.

The process was further developed during the 14th Middle East Security Summit in Manama in November 2018 - when Oman’s Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yousef Bin Ali declared what — apart from the Jordan and Egypt peace treaties with Israel - had been taboo for 70 years in the Arab League:

“How can we involve Israel and prompt it to contribute to the affairs of the region? I am going to say something that I say for the first time. Israel is a state that is present in this region. We all understand this, we know this; the world is also aware of this fact. But despite that, Israel is not being treated by the other countries as it is treating the other countries. Maybe it is time for Israel to be treated the same and it should also bear the same obligations as other countries. Why? Those are really facts. History says that the Torah saw the light in the Middle East, that the prophets of Israel were born in the Middle East, and that the Jews also used to live in this area of the world.”

The future of the region seems set to discard the belligerent and rejectionist policies of the PLO.

Trump’s “ultimate deal” could now increasingly see Israel negotiating with an Arab delegation to replace the PLO — comprising representatives of those seven White House Arab States — 5 of whom have never had diplomatic relations with Israel — who had the courage to publicly meet and talk with Israel at Trump’s conference.

Building on this reality has become the key to ending the Jewish-Arab conflict.