Israeli FM: Trump’s Peace Plan ‘will be advanced responsibly’
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi met on Wednesday in Jerusalem with his German counterpart, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, to discuss the prospects of Israel’s plan to declare sovereignty over parts of Judea and Samaria, as stipulated in the US’ Deal of the Century peace plan.
FM Gabi Ashkenazi (MFA)
Maas arrived in Israel for a very brief visit, reportedly to warn Israel against such a move.
According to the US-formulated Deal of the Century peace plan, Israel can declare sovereignty over parts of Judea and Samaria from the beginning of July.
The US’ Deal of the Century peace plan, officially titled “Vision for Peace, Prosperity, and a Brighter Future,” calls for the Israeli annexation of some 30% of the territory in Judea and Samaria already under its control, with the remaining 70% becoming a Palestinian state.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) has rejected the plan even before its details were published.
The Foreign Ministry stated that Maas’ visit is “the first visit by a foreign statesman since the formation of the new government in Israel” and is “a testimony to the strength of the relationship the two countries have shared for the past 55 years.”
After the meeting, the two foreign ministers delivered statements to the press, during which Ashkenazi stated that “there are currently significant regional opportunities, most notably President Trump’s Peace Initiative. It is an important milestone for the region, and it represents a significant opportunity.”
“The plan will be pursued responsibly, in full coordination with the United States, while maintaining Israel’s peace agreements and strategic interests,” he underscored.
Furthermore, Israel intends to carry through with the process “in a dialogue with our neighbours. Israel wants peace and security.”
He thanked the German government for its recent decision to outlaw Hezbollah.
The Federal Government banned the operations of the Shiite terrorist organization Hezbollah in Germany in April.
“Germany has made it clear that Hezbollah, is a terrorist organization and must be treated as such,” Ashkenazi said, calling on other European countries “to follow Germany’s lead.”
Maas will meet with PA head Mahmoud Abbas via video conference before departing for Jordan later today.
