- The Media Line - https://themedialine.org -

Trump’s Nod to the Palestinians Shocks Israelis, Rejected by Palestinians

While President Trump’s nod to the Palestinians on Tuesday – saying Israel would have to pay a high price for the American Embassy move to Jerusalem; and that the Palestinians will “get something very good because it’s their turn next” – sent shock waves through the Jewish state, those who expected elation or even satisfaction from the Palestinians were surprised by the vitriolic response to Trump’s remark. Rather than focus on the president’s pledge of good things to come, Fatah and Hamas alike attacked President Trump’s assertion that he had “taken the issue of Jerusalem off the table” in negotiations. The united position of the factions is that as long as Jerusalem is not recognized as the capital of the state of Palestine, the issue of the holy city remains very much alive. No indication has come from the White House regarding details of the Trump largesse. National Security Adviser John Bolton might have provided a hint that American recognition of Palestinian statehood is in the cards when, while addressing a Jerusalem news conference on Wednesday, he referred to “the people of Palestine” rather than “the Palestinian people.”