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Why the Palestinian Leadership Should Not Reject the U.S. Peace Plan

(Al Arabiya) Jason Greenblatt and Bishara A. Bahbah - Once Palestinian officials have had the chance to review President Trump's peace plan, they can build on the positive elements within it, raise their objections to those provisions they oppose, propose alternative, realistic and implementable suggestions, and with diligence and diplomacy, achieve meaningful progress. Time and avoidance have been among the Palestinians' worst enemies. Israel grows and prospers while Palestinians are left further behind. Palestinians can keep waiting for a better deal, but in all likelihood, it may never come. Palestinians should recognize what is possible and refrain from being driven solely by what they view as just. Both sides can argue for decades over what they think is just. They will never agree. Instead, Palestinians should focus on a realistic and implementable plan that has the potential to bring great things to the Palestinians if the leadership negotiates well. If the Palestinians do not come to the table to negotiate, once again they will miss an opportunity to see what they might achieve. The opportunities could be endless. It is time to seize the dream, not dash it against the rocks. The alternative to the peace plan is the status quo, or continued worsening of conditions for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Is that really what Palestinians want? Palestinians have much to gain from reviewing the plan and working in good faith with President Trump and Israel. Palestinians have much to lose if they reject the proposed peace plan. There is no perfect plan. It's time to stop waiting for one. Jason D. Greenblatt is former special representative for international negotiations in the Trump administration. Bishara A. Bahbah is a former member of the Palestinian delegation to the multilateral peace talks.
2020-01-28 00:00:00
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