Unpacking Trump’s Controversial Peace Plan: What Does It Really Mean?

Former President Donald Trump’s “Deal of the Century” for Israeli-Palestinian peace is gaining renewed attention as key figures engage in diplomatic efforts.

At a Glance

  • Trump’s Middle East peace plan, announced in 2020, is being revisited
  • Massad Boulos, Tiffany Trump’s father-in-law, is reaching out to Palestinian leaders
  • Netanyahu and Trump have spoken three times recently, emphasizing shared views
  • Palestinian Authority President Abbas is attempting to restore relations with Trump
  • Regional dynamics, including potential Saudi-Israeli normalization, may influence negotiations

Reviving the “Deal of the Century”

Former President Donald Trump’s ambitious Middle East peace plan, dubbed the “Deal of the Century,” is once again in the spotlight. Initially unveiled during Trump’s first term, the proposal aimed to resolve the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Now, as Trump prepares for a potential return to the White House, diplomatic channels are buzzing with renewed activity.

Massad Boulos, father-in-law to Tiffany Trump, has emerged as a key figure in these efforts. Boulos is actively reaching out to Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, seeking to mend ties that were strained during Trump’s previous administration. This outreach includes facilitating an exchange of letters between Trump and Abbas, signaling a potential thaw in relations.

Netanyahu and Trump: A Strong Alliance

Concurrently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been in close contact with Trump. The two leaders have spoken three times recently, underscoring the strength of their alliance. Netanyahu emphasized their shared perspective on regional issues, particularly the threat posed by Iran.

“In recent days, I have spoken three times with US President-elect Donald Trump. These were very good and important talks designed to further enhance the steadfast bond between Israel and the US. We see eye-to-eye on the Iranian threat in all its aspects, and on the dangers they reflect. We also see the great opportunities facing Israel, in the area of peace and its expansion, and in other areas,” Benjamin Netanyahu said.

This alignment between Trump and Netanyahu suggests that any future peace negotiations would likely prioritize Israeli security concerns. However, the landscape has changed significantly since the initial proposal, particularly following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

Despite past tensions, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has expressed willingness to work with Trump towards a two-state solution. This marks a significant shift, considering that Abbas had previously cut ties with the Trump administration after it moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and recognized the city as Israel’s capital.

The regional context for these negotiations has also evolved. Qatar’s expulsion of Hamas leaders and Saudi Arabia’s moves towards normalizing relations with Israel could create new opportunities for a comprehensive peace deal. These developments may provide additional leverage for negotiators seeking to break the long-standing impasse.

Trump isn’t even in office yet and he’s already solving big problems.