Former U.S. President Donald Trump has recently unveiled a “20-point peace plan” aimed at resolving the long-standing Israel–Palestine conflict and fostering peace across the Middle East. The plan, according to Trump, is designed to bring stability and prosperity to the region. Yet, its reception has been far from unanimous — raising serious questions about its feasibility and intent.
The immediate reaction came from Hamas, which outright rejected the plan, insisting that any real peace must begin with the restoration of full Palestinian rights and sovereignty. On the other side, uncertainty remains over whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will accept or implement the plan in good faith, especially given Israel’s ongoing policies in Gaza and the West Bank.
A Legacy of Failed Peace Accords
The region’s recent history offers little optimism. The Abraham Accords, announced in August–September 2020 and signed in Washington, D.C., were initially celebrated as a diplomatic breakthrough between Israel and several Arab states. However, the accords largely benefited Israel, paving the way for normalization of relations without resolving the Palestinian question.
The agreements opened doors for economic and defense cooperation — particularly in sectors like high-tech industries, healthcare, manufacturing, and military production. The UAE and Israel, for example, pursued joint ventures in technology, drone systems, and airport security. Yet, while economic ties deepened, illegal Jewish settlements expanded, and Palestinians continued to face displacement and violence — undermining the spirit of peace the accords had promised.
U.S. Policy and Regional Imbalance
Critics argue that Washington’s Middle East policy has long been tilted in favor of Israel. Instead of discouraging military aggression, the United States has supplied weapons and aircraft used in operations against Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza. This has emboldened Israel’s continued defiance of international law and humanitarian norms.
The Trump administration’s 20-point plan, therefore, is being viewed by many analysts as an attempt to rebrand the U.S. as a peace broker — while still prioritizing Israel’s strategic and political interests. Unless this imbalance is addressed, the plan may merely reproduce the failures of previous diplomatic efforts.
Lessons from History
The roots of the Palestinian struggle date back to 1947, when the United Nations proposed partitioning British-mandated Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states, with Jerusalem under international administration. Jewish leaders accepted the plan, which granted them 56% of the land, but the Arab League rejected it, arguing that it denied Palestinians their right to self-determination.
Following Israel’s declaration of independence on May 14, 1948, wars and displacements reshaped the region. Since then, multiple peace initiatives — from the Oslo Accords to the Abraham Accords — have failed to deliver a sustainable resolution or halt the ongoing human tragedy in Gaza and the West Bank.
The Present Challenge
Today, Israel’s continued military operations and expansionist policies have resulted in what many human rights organizations describe as systematic violations and collective punishment against Palestinians. Civilian casualties, displacement, and the blockade of Gaza have turned the region into a humanitarian crisis zone.
If Trump’s 20-point plan is to be taken seriously, it must first address these realities on the ground. Peace cannot be built on unilateral recognition, economic deals, or geopolitical alignments. It requires justice, equality, and the restoration of fundamental human rights for Palestinians.
The Role of the International Community
For the Middle East to truly move toward peace, the international community must act decisively. Empty statements and symbolic resolutions are not enough. The United Nations, European Union, and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) must press for accountability, push for compliance with international law, and ensure that both parties — especially Israel — commit to a verifiable path toward coexistence.
Without such engagement, Trump’s 20-point plan risks becoming yet another diplomatic document that gathers dust — while Gaza continues to burn.
Peace in the Middle East will remain elusive unless it begins with justice for Palestine.