Obstacles to ‘Deal’ Continue to Mount

Despite being one of the most eagerly-awaited international diplomatic initiatives in recent times, it’s anything but clear sailing for President Trump’s “Vision” for Mideast peace. Last week’s ceremony in the East Room of the White House was dismissed by many as a pro-Israel rally notable for its lack of any Palestinian participation. Even the much-ballyhooed presence of ambassadors to Washington from three Gulf nations – Oman, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates — unwound when the envoys’ countries rejected the plan and walked-back its implicit approval claiming they were not given accurate information concerning its content – in particular issues relating to Palestinian statehood. The input from Egypt – seen as an important indicator — was also negative and on Sunday, the Kremlin weighed-in with its opinion that given the plan’s rejection by the Palestinians and the virtually entire Arab world, and given Russia’s concern that the deal as set forth contravenes United Nations resolutions, implementation of the deal is unfeasible.