As organisations believing that Israelis and Palestinians can work together to build a common future in the Middle East, we express our deep concern at the announcement of President Trump’s so-called “Deal of the Century.”

The proposal envisages extension of Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and all Jewish settlements in the West Bank and a non-contiguous and non-viable Palestinian state.

This ill-timed and misguided proposal does not aim to solve the conflict.

If it did, it would have been done in coordination and engagement also with the second party to the conflict, the Palestinians.

The proposal is a bi-lateral agreement between Israel and the United States; it leaves no room for Palestinian concerns or input.

A durable, lasting peace has to be negotiated with the cooperation and trust of both parties.

The attempt by the US and Israel to impose “peace” on the Palestinians is just the latest sign that the Trump administration is incapable of being an honest broker between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

This gambit will fail and can only make the region less stable. It has already been rejected by all members of the Arab League.

We look forward to the day when Israelis and Palestinians will sit down together to negotiate a solution to this conflict, which has gone on for far too long at the cost of too many lives.

Israelis and Palestinians deserve better than this faux peace deal.

More details of objections to the plan can be seen on signatories’ websites or Facebook pages. 

Ameinu, Australian Jewish Democratic Society, Habonim Dror Australia, Hashomer Hatzair Australia, J-Greens (Vic) Jewish Labour Bund, Jewish Voice for Peace and Justice (NSW), Meretz Australia, NIF Australia, SKIF Australia