Is Peace Possible Anymore?

In January, the Trump administration unveiled its long-awaited Middle East peace plan. The proposal is the latest in a long string of American attempts at peacemaking in this volatile region.

The peace plan follows a series of actions by President Trump that have upended America’s long-standing approach to the Arab-Israeli conflict. In 2017, Trump recognized the disputed city of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moved the U.S. embassy there from Tel Aviv the following year. In November, the U.S. declared that Israeli settlements in the West Bank don’t violate international law—a change that put U.S. policy at odds with most of the world.

Some Israelis, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have applauded the moves and the new peace plan, as have some Americans. But others have criticized them and said they jeopardize prospects for peace. Here’s what you need to know about how the policies might affect the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

In January, the Trump administration unveiled its long-awaited Middle East peace plan. The proposal is the latest in a long string of American attempts at peacemaking in this volatile region.

The peace plan follows a series of actions by President Trump that have upended America’s long-standing approach to the Arab-Israeli conflict. In 2017, Trump recognized the disputed city of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moved the U.S. embassy there from Tel Aviv the following year. In November, the U.S. declared that Israeli settlements in the West Bank don’t violate international law—a change that put U.S. policy at odds with most of the world.

Some Israelis, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have applauded the moves and the new peace plan. Some Americans have as well. But others have criticized them and said they’ve put prospects for peace in danger. Here’s what you need to know about how the policies might affect the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

In a nutshell, they’re fighting because they both claim the same small piece of territory (see slideshow above). Israelis and Palestinians have been at loggerheads since Israel’s founding in 1948, but the roots of the conflict go back much further.

In the first century A.D., Jews were expelled from their ancient Middle East homeland by the Romans; for nearly two millennia, Jews lived in exile in Europe, other parts of the Middle East, and elsewhere. At the end of the 19th century, Jews known as Zionists began arguing that Jews needed a state of their own. When 6 million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust during World War II, many nations embraced the idea of creating a Jewish state in British-ruled Palestine, the Jews’ historical homeland.

However, over the previous 2,000 years, their ancient homeland hadn’t remained empty. So when significant numbers of Jews began moving back in the early 20th century, tensions erupted with the Arabs already living there.

In 1947, a year before British rule over Palestine was set to end, the United Nations voted to divide the area into an Arab state and a Jewish state (see slideshow above). The U.N. plan designated Jerusalem as a special international zone not belonging to either country. The Jews accepted the partition plan, but the Arabs rejected it.

When the British left and Israel declared independence in 1948, Arab states—including Egypt, Syria, and Iraq—attacked. Israel prevailed and, in the course of the war, it ended up controlling more territory than the U.N. plan had called for. The victory secured Israel’s existence—along with the seeds of Arab anger.

In the seven decades since, Israel and the Palestinians (the Arabs who are from the region that the British called Palestine) have been locked in a conflict that periodically explodes into violence, including three wars that followed Israel’s war of independence. Despite the efforts of many American presidents to broker a peace agreement, there’s no end in sight for the conflict. The 4.8 million Palestinians who live in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to push for a state of their own.

In a nutshell, they’re fighting because they both claim the same small piece of land (see slideshow above). Israelis and Palestinians have been in conflict since Israel’s founding in 1948. But the roots of their conflict go back much further.

In the first century A.D., Jews were kicked out of their ancient Middle East homeland by the Romans. For nearly two millennia, Jews lived in exile in Europe, other parts of the Middle East, and elsewhere. At the end of the 19th century, Jews known as Zionists began arguing that Jews needed a state of their own. Then, during World War II, 6 million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust. After that, many nations embraced the idea of creating a Jewish state in British-ruled Palestine, the Jews’ historical homeland.

Significant numbers of Jews began moving back in the early 20th century. But over the previous 2,000 years, their ancient homeland hadn’t remained empty. As more Jews arrived, tensions erupted with the Arabs already living there.

British rule over Palestine was set to end in 1948. A year before that, the United Nations voted to divide the area into an Arab state and a Jewish state (see slideshow above). The U.N. plan set aside Jerusalem as a special international zone. That meant that the city would not belong to either country. The Jews accepted the partition plan, but the Arabs rejected it.

When the British left in 1948, Israel declared independence. Afterward, Arab states—including Egypt, Syria, and Iraq—attacked. Israel overcame the attacks. In the course of the war, it ended up controlling more territory than the U.N. plan had called for. The victory secured Israel’s existence. It also planted the seeds of Arab anger.

In the seven decades since, Israel and the Palestinians (the Arabs who are from the region that the British called Palestine) have been locked in a conflict. Their strife periodically explodes into violence. That’s included three wars that followed Israel’s war of independence. Many American presidents have tried to broker a peace agreement. Despite their efforts, there’s no end in sight for the conflict. The 4.8 million Palestinians who live in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to push for a state of their own.

It all goes back to the Six-Day War. That conflict between Israel and the
Arab nations of Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq began on June 5, 1967, and lasted less than a week. But it had dramatic consequences for the Middle East that still reverberate.

“Everything goes back to the 1967 war, because the spoils of that war are what people are still arguing about,” says David Makovsky, an Israel expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy in Washington, D.C.

The stated goal of the Arab nations in the Six-Day War was to destroy Israel, but that plan backfired: By the end of the conflict, less than a week later, Israel had more than doubled the amount of territory under its control.

Among these new occupied territories was the West Bank, a 2,200-square-mile area that had been under Jordanian control since Israel’s war of independence. About 600,000 Palestinians lived there in 1967, including some who had fled during Israel’s war of independence in 1948.

Today more than 2.6 million Palestinians live in the West Bank, and this territory is considered by international negotiators to be the heart of any future Palestinian state.

More than 400,000 Israelis also live in the West Bank on Israeli settlements, which are housing developments for Israelis built in occupied territories. These settlements have been a big issue in peace negotiations in the past because they’re on land claimed by Palestinians.

It all goes back to the Six-Day War. That conflict was between Israel and the Arab nations of Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq. It began on June 5, 1967, and lasted less than a week. But it had dramatic consequences for the Middle East that still are felt today.

“Everything goes back to the 1967 war, because the spoils of that war are what people are still arguing about,” says David Makovsky, an Israel expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy in Washington, D.C.

The stated goal of the Arab nations in the Six-Day War was to destroy Israel. But their plan backfired. By the end of the conflict, Israel had more than doubled the amount of territory under its control. And it was able
to do so in less than a week.

Among these new occupied territories was the West Bank. That’s a 2,200-square-mile area that had been under Jordanian control since Israel’s war of independence. About 600,000 Palestinians lived there in 1967. That included some Palestinians who had fled during Israel’s war of independence in 1948.

Today more than 2.6 million Palestinians live in the West Bank. The territory is considered by international negotiators to be the heart of any future Palestinian state.

More than 400,000 Israelis also live in the West Bank. They reside on Israeli settlements. Those are housing developments for Israelis built in occupied territories. These settlements have been a big issue in peace negotiations in the past. That’s because they’re on land claimed by Palestinians.

The Trump administration proposal gives Israel most of what it has wanted throughout the decades of the conflict while offering Palestinians the possibility of a state in which they’d have limited control over their own affairs.

Trump’s plan guarantees Israel control over all of Jerusalem and it doesn’t require Israel to dismantle any of its settlements in the West Bank. In effect, the plan would greatly expand Israel’s territory.

The plan offers the Palestinians $50 billion in international investment and promises to open a U.S. embassy in the new Palestinian state. That proposed state would not have a military of its own and would be required to renounce violence and disband military groups such as Hamas. Israel would keep control of security west of the Jordan River. The new state would have a capital on the outskirts of East Jerusalem.

The Trump peace plan was nearly three years in the making, and it represents a sharp turn in the American approach to this seemingly intractable conflict. Previous American proposals have suggested only modest alterations to Israel’s pre-1967 borders and have tried to give Palestinians a truly autonomous state with a shared Jerusalem as their capital.

President Trump announced the plan at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu standing beside him. The Palestinian leadership, which cut ties with the Trump administration after the U.S. recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, was not there.

“My vision presents a win-win opportunity for both sides, a realistic two-state solution that resolves the risk of Palestinian statehood to Israel’s security,” the president said.

The Trump administration proposal gives Israel most of what it has wanted throughout the decades of the conflict. It also offers Palestinians the possibility of a state in which they’d have limited control over their own affairs.

Trump’s plan guarantees Israel control over all of Jerusalem. And it doesn’t require Israel to dismantle any of its settlements in the West Bank. In effect, the plan would greatly expand Israel’s territory.

The plan offers the Palestinians $50 billion in international investment. Under the agreement, the U.S. promises to open an embassy in the new Palestinian state. That proposed state would not have a military of its own. Beyond that, it would be required to renounce violence and disband military groups such as Hamas. Israel would keep control of security west of the Jordan River. The new state would have a capital on the outskirts of East Jerusalem.

The Trump peace plan was nearly three years in the making. It represents a sharp turn in the American approach to this seemingly unending conflict. Previous American proposals have suggested only modest alterations to Israel’s pre-1967 borders. They’ve also tried to give Palestinians a truly independent state with a shared Jerusalem as their capital.

President Trump announced the plan at the White House. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was standing beside him. The Palestinian leadership was not present. It had cut ties with the Trump administration after the U.S. recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

“My vision presents a win-win opportunity for both sides, a realistic two-state solution that resolves the risk of Palestinian statehood to Israel’s security,” the president said.

Three groups responded enthusiastically to Trump’s plan: politically conservative American Jewish organizations, evangelical Christians, and the Israeli government.

“It’s a great plan for Israel,” Netanyahu said. “It’s a great plan for peace.”

Netanyahu, who apparently saw the plan as the U.S. giving Israel a green light to annex additional territory, immediately announced that Israel would move to effectively make the Jordan River Valley and Jewish settlements in the West Bank part of Israel. But that plan was put on hold at the request of the Trump administration.

Even with the issue of annexation having been postponed, Palestinian and international response to the proposal was harshly critical.

Three groups responded enthusiastically to Trump’s plan: politically conservative American Jewish organizations, evangelical Christians, and the Israeli government.

“It’s a great plan for Israel,” Netanyahu said. “It’s a great plan for peace.”

Netanyahu apparently saw the plan as the U.S. giving Israel a green light to annex more territory. He immediately announced that Israel would move to effectively make the Jordan River Valley and Jewish settlements in the West Bank officially part of Israel. But that plan was put on hold at the request of the Trump administration.

Even with the issue of annexation having been postponed, Palestinian and international response to the proposal was harshly critical.

“The deal of the century will not pass,” said President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority. “Our people will throw it into the garbage can of history.”

The Arab League, an organization of 22 Arab countries, unanimously rejected the Trump plan. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, a group of 57 majority-Muslim nations, and the European Union also rejected it.

“Only a negotiated two-state solution, acceptable to both sides, can lead to a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians,” said German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

“The deal of the century will not pass,” said President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority. “Our people will throw it into the garbage can of history.”

The Arab League is an organization of 22 Arab countries. It unanimously rejected the Trump plan. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, a group of 57 majority-Muslim nations, and the European Union also rejected it.

“Only a negotiated two-state solution, acceptable to both sides, can lead to a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians,” said German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

The problem of working out a peace plan between Israelis and Palestinians has plagued the world for more than six decades. Trump is the 13th American president to try to resolve the conflict. So far, all have failed. Many Middle East experts predict this attempt will be no different.

In fact, there are reasons to be less optimistic than ever about peace prospects, they say. For one thing, neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians have leaders supported by a majority of their people. Israel is so politically divided that it’s held three inconclusive elections in the past 13 months and has still been unable to form a government. Meanwhile, Palestinian leadership is divided between the Palestinian Authority, which controls the West Bank, and Hamas, which controls Gaza and is considered by the U.S. and other Western nations to be a terrorist group.

Despite the many obstacles to implementing a peace agreement now and the challenges presented by the Trump plan, Robert Satloff of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy remains hopeful that a deal is possible, if not now, then someday.

“Eventually, they’ll run out of alternatives,” Satloff says of Palestinians and Israelis, “and there will be new leaders, and they will formalize this unhappy relationship into something that more closely resembles a peace relationship.”

The problem of working out a peace plan between Israelis and Palestinians has plagued the world for more than six decades. Trump is the 13th American president to try to resolve the conflict. So far, all have failed. Many Middle East experts predict this attempt will be no different.

In fact, they say there are reasons to be less optimistic than ever about peace prospects. For one thing, neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians have leaders supported by a majority of their people. Israel is so politically divided that it’s held three inconclusive elections in the past 13 months and has still been unable to form a government. Meanwhile, Palestinian leadership is divided between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. The Palestinian Authority controls the West Bank. Hamas controls Gaza and is considered by the U.S. and other Western nations to be a terrorist group.

There are many obstacles to securing a peace agreement now. And the Trump plan has presented some additional challenges. Despite that, Robert Satloff of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy remains hopeful that a deal is possible, if not now, then someday.

“Eventually, they’ll run out of alternatives,” Satloff says of Palestinians and Israelis, “and there will be new leaders, and they will formalize this unhappy relationship into something that more closely resembles a peace relationship.”

With reporting by Isabel Kershner of The New York Times.

With reporting by Isabel Kershner of The New York Times.