Trump in apparent U-turn on settlements ahead of Netanyahu visit

 Donald Trump’s apparent U-turn on Israeli settlement expansion is a signal that the US president is taking Arab leaders’ viewpoints on board, analysts have said. 

Ahead of a highly anticipated visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next Wednesday, Trump changed tack on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly on the issues of settlement expansion, moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem and promoting peace.

In an interview with Israeli daily Israel Hayom, published on Friday, Trump said: “I am not someone who believes that advancing settlements is good for peace. But we are looking at all different kinds of options.” 

The US President also softened his campaign pledge to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, telling the paper that he is studying the issue and “it’s not an easy decision.”

These positions represent a U-turn from Trump’s campaign talk and suggest a realistic approach from Trump — although still do not suggest a clear strategy on resuming the peace process, experts said.

Trump’s change of tone ahead of Netanyahu’s visit “seems to signal that peace process issues will be discussed in the visit and any final decisions will be made after these discussions,” said Ghaith Al-Omari, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. 

“Since assuming office, it is clear that his position was influenced by views of members of his administration who are familiar with the Middle East, like Secretaries of State and Defense Rex Tillerson and James Mattis,” said Al-Omari, who served in various positions with the Palestinian Authority until 2001.

Also important was the visit to Washington by Jordan’s King Abdullah II, who last week held meetings with Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and key Cabinet members including Mattis. 

Al-Omari told Arab News that Trump’s “engagement with regional leaders such as his meeting with King Abdallah or his calls with Arab leaders” have “influenced his decisions.”

A statement from the White House calling new settlement activity “unhelpful” followed the Trump-Abdullah meeting. “Many Israelis are also counseling caution on decisions regarding the embassy move and settlements,” said Al-Omari. 

Jordan has officially warned about moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem, calling it a “red line” that would “inflame the Islamic and Arab streets” and serve as a “gift to extremists.” A second visit by King Abdallah to Washington is under tentative planning for next month, Arab News has learned. 

Trump’s shift signals “a growing understanding of the complexities surrounding these issues,” said Al-Omari, while emphasizing that it is “too early” to identify a definitive US policy.

“Much will depend on personnel appointments... but we can expect close personal relations with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and a return to the pre-Obama policy of keeping differences — which will inevitably arise — away from the public eye,” said Al-Omari.

A more regional approach to the peace process might be in the works however as the Trump administration reviews its options. The New York Times reported that the administration is “developing a strategy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that would enlist Arab nations like Saudi Arabia and Egypt to break years of deadlock.” 

Such a regional approach “would build on his de facto alignment” between the Israel and Arab states in “countering the rise of Iran.” The New York Times cautions, however, that “Arab officials have warned Trump and his advisers that if they want cooperation, the United States cannot make life harder for them with provocative pro-Israel moves.”

A regional push with moving pieces and bargaining chips would be “welcome in Arab capitals,” explains Al-Omari, in part for “wanting the US to reassume its leading position in the region.” The bargain could entail “help in the peace process, while Iran and Daesh are also dealt with.”

With less than a month into office, there is no clear strategy yet for the peace process — but Trump’s emphasis on “a possibility to achieve peace in a way that is larger than the Israeli-Palestinian peace” reflects the desire for a regional umbrella in orchestrating possible talks or negotiating on an “ultimate deal.” 

That is something that all Trump’s predecessors have in the past failed to achieve.

Source : Arab News