BBC, January 28th 2020
Recap:
President Donald Trump presented his long-awaited Middle East peace plan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz embraced the plan’s framework while Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the plans as a "conspiracy."
The Context:
· Trump’s “Deal of the Century” seeks to create a demilitarized Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, which will be connected by an underground tunnel. The plan is contingent on Palestinian renunciation of violence and the disbandment of militant groups [1]. The plan offers Palestinians a capital on the outskirts of east Jerusalem [2} and $50 billion from Arab states to create one million new jobs, double the size of its economy and reduce unemployment to less than 10% [3]. Israel will retain an undivided Jerusalem as its capital as well as its existing settlements. Netanyahu has already made plans to annex 30% of the West Bank with a cabinet vote scheduled for Sunday.
· The PA, who refuses American intervention following a series of confrontations with the Trump administration, flatly rejected the plan, saying the omission of Jerusalem as its capital and the right of return for Palestinian refugees to Israel as a non-starter. Protesters burned pictures of Trump and Netanyahu while Abbas held an emergency meeting with other Palestinian factions, including Hamas, to discuss a unified response to the plan [4].
· Saudi Arabia encouraged the resumption of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians while Egypt urged Israelis and Palestinians to “carefully study” the plan [5]. The UN reinforced its commitment to helping Israelis and Palestinians broker peace [6] and England urged the Palestinians to give the plans "genuine and fair consideration."
Conversation:
· Is peace possible?
· Why didn’t the Trump administration confer with Israelis or Palestinians while constructing the deal?
· Why have Arab states supported the plan?
Oren Liebermann and Amir Tal, CNN January 28th 2020
Recap:
Benjamin Netanyahu was formally indicted on corruption charges shortly after retracting his immunity request. Netanyahu is charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate corruption cases.
The Context:
· Prosecutors say that in the most serious case, known as Case 4000, Netanyahu advanced regulatory benefits worth more than $280 million in exchange for favorable news coverage.
· Netanyahu will be the first sitting prime minister to face trial in the country's history. A date has not been set, but the legal process will likely take years. Netanyahu could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of bribery and a maximum three-year term for fraud and breach of trust [7].
· Netanyahu denied wrongdoing in all three cases and has alleged that the investigations against him are a “witch hunt” involving the left, media and police relentlessly pressuring a “weak” attorney general [8].
Conversation Points:
· Can a sitting prime minister run a country properly while held up in court?
· Is Israel capable of engaging in peace talks with a dysfunctional government?
· What effect will the “deal of the century” have on Netanyahu’s reelection campaign and indictment?
Shoshanna Solomon, Times of Israel, January 29th 2020
Recap:
Israel’s Innovation Authority (IIA) cannot administer new grants to Israeli tech companies without an approved 2020 budget, which has been held up as a result of two inconclusive elections in 2019. Israel’s third election in a year will take place in March.
The Context:
· IIA sets the nation’s innovation policies and supports early stage startups and technologies. Its annual budget of $461 million enables young companies to focus on development instead of fundraising [9].
· The government has yet to pass a 2020 budget as a result of the political deadlock plaguing the country. Finance Ministry officials warned that the lack of a 2020 budget is likely to have a negative impact on economic growth since ministries cannot commission new projects or pay contractors. IIA has already delayed grant payments to 250 Israeli tech companies [10].
Conversation Points:
· What effect will this situation have on Israel’s booming tech industry?
Notes:
1. Trump Releases Mideast Peace Plan That Strongly Favors Israel, New York Times, January 28th 2020
2. Palestinians angrily reject Trump Mideast peace plan, MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH and FARES AKRAM, Associated Press, January 29th 2020
3. Trump Releases Mideast Peace Plan That Strongly Favors Israel, New York Times, January 28th 2020
4. Palestinians angrily reject Trump Mideast peace plan, MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH and FARES AKRAM, Associated Press, January 29th 2020
5. Ibid.
6. Palestinians threaten to quit Oslo Accords over Trump peace plan, Al Jazeera, January 28th 2020
7. Netanyahu formally indicted in court on corruption charges, Stephen Farrell & Jeffrey Heller, Reuters, January 29th 2020
8. Netanyahu indicted for corruption in three cases, in first for a sitting PM, RAOUL WOOTLIFF, Times of Israel, January 28th 2020
9. Following Payment Delays by Israel Innovation Authority, Startups Start Layoffs, Meir Orbach, Ctech, November 27th 2019
10. Ibid.