BICOM

The US plan for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations will include US and international recognition of a Palestinian State, with its capital in East Jerusalem, and the evacuation of small Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The London-based Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat reported details of the US plan, provided by Arab diplomatic sources. According to the report, the US Middle East team will present their plan during an international conference that will be held in an Arab capital and attended by Israeli officials. The deal will include recognition of a Palestinian state, with a capital in East Jerusalem, and the Old City of Jerusalem will be placed under “international protection.” The US aims to raise $40bn to support Palestinian statehood and institution building.

The plan envisages that large settlement blocs will remain in place and Israel will retain control of the Jordan Valley but give the Palestinian Authority (PA) greater control over areas A and B in the West Bank. Egypt would take over responsibility for security in the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinians will be asked to give up the “right of return” for Palestinian refugees, and their descendants, and any property claims inside Israel.

The US has not commented on the story but Palestinian officials have said they would not be able to accept such a plan. The PA has frozen relations with the US since last December’s US announcement recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

PA Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki said yesterday that European Union countries would act on behalf of the Palestinians to convince the Trump administration to amend the plan in their favour.