Voice of the Jewish News: Dealing in fantasy
This week's editorial reflects on President Donald Trump's 'Deal of the Century' for Middle East peace
It was telling that President Trump unveiled his proposed Middle East peace deal alongside Benjamin Netanyahu only. Mahmoud Abbas was nowhere to be seen. It is telling also that Netanyahu was grinning from ear to ear. No wonder.
Israel, of course, yearns for peace, but this deal will never be approved by the Palestinians or accepted by the international community. Netanyahu knows it, but it conveniently provides cover for US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the settlements. That is huge.
It is highly likely that British Jews who, like Netanyahu, will also like Donald Trump. They will, if anything, think this deal is generous towards the Palestinians. After all, it gives them a state for, well, behaving properly. But British Jews who would like to see a final deal that gives the Palestinians a shred of dignity will agree with the rest of the world that it is worthless.
Imagine the sell in Ramallah. “So guys, all of Jerusalem is Israeli forever, all settlements stay put with US recognition, the Jordan Valley becomes Israeli sovereign territory and we get a bit more land as long as we disarm and publicly kiss goodbye to any refugee return. Who’s in?”
Trump, who preaches the art of the deal, is like an estate agent announcing the sale of a house for a price agreed only by the vendor, on terms agreed only by the vendor. So this deal, depending on your political outlook, is either terrible or generous, and the timing, depending on your political outlook, is either astute or desperate.
Netanyahu and Trump are both fighting for survival against the apparatus of their respective states, the independence and proper functioning of which both men swore to protect.
There’s never been a better time for a distraction.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
