“US policy for the Middle East cannot work because it requires the Palestinians to accept they are a defeated people.
In 2017, President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, saying: “We took Jerusalem off the table, so we don’t have to talk about it any more.” Trump told Benjamin Netanyahu: “You won one point, and you’ll give up some points later on in the negotiation, if it ever takes place.” The centre of the Palestinians’ history, identity, culture and worship was thus summarily disposed of without even the pretence of consulting their wishes. Then, in January 2020, the Trump administration finally unveiled its long awaited “deal” – once again without consultation with the Palestinians, the party most directly affected.”
Read the full article by Rashid Khalidi in the Guardian.
Khalidi is the Edward Said Professor of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University and author of The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine.