United States of America PresidentDonald Trump announced Tuesday, January 28th his long-awaited Middle East peaceplan during a press conference at the White House.
He proposed an independentPalestinian state and the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over West Banksettlements.
Standing alongside Israeli PMBenjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Mr Trump said his proposals "couldbe the last opportunity" for Palestinians.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbasdismissed the plans as a "conspiracy".
"Isay to Trump and Netanyahu: Jerusalem is not for sale, all our rights are notfor sale and are not for bargain. And your deal, the conspiracy, will notpass," he said in a televised address from Ramallah in the West Bank.
The blueprint, which aims to solveone of the world's longest-running conflicts, was drafted under the stewardshipof President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Thousands of Palestinians protestedin the Gaza Strip earlier on Tuesday, while the Israeli military deployedreinforcements in the occupied West Bank.
The joint announcement came as bothMr Trump and Mr Netanyahu faced political challenges at home. Mr Trump is thesubject of an impeachment trial in the US Senate while the Israeli PM onTuesday dropped his bid for immunity on corruption charges. Both men deny anywrongdoing.David Friedman, the US ambassador to Israel,said that the timing of the announcement was not tied to any political development,adding it had been "fully baked" for some time.
