DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Arab states have cautiously welcomed the US peace plan for the Middle East, but the balancing act aimed at appeasing their powerful ally risks provoking domestic public opinion and Palestinian ire.
The plan was unveiled in Washington on Tuesday by US President Donald Trump, flanked by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who greeted the proposals enthusiastically in the face of Palestinian condemnation.
The only Arab ambassadors present were from Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates — three of Washington’s closest allies in a region where many nations host US forces.
Other Arab states released carefully worded statements, in what experts said showed that the Palestinian cause has gone out of fashion and that security ties with Washington outweigh any appetite to oppose the plan.
Just weeks ago, Tehran and Washington appeared on the verge of war after the assassination of a top Iranian general. Iran responded with missile strikes on US targets in Iraq, bringing both sides to the brink.
A shared hostility to Iran has seen Arab states in the Gulf quietly move closer to Israel, further displacing the Palestinian cause from the headlines.
After the deal was unveiled, Riyadh said its support for the Palestinians was “steadfast” but that it “appreciates” the American efforts and called for the start of direct talks.
Abu Dhabi called it “an important starting point” while Cairo said it deserved a “thorough examination.”
Qatar meanwhile welcomed the initiative but stressed its support for a Palestinian state “including east Jerusalem” as its capital. Jordan stressed that “the only path to peace” would be a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders. READ MORE
