Erdogan slams Trump's appalling peace plan as 'absolutely unacceptable'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the 'absolutely unacceptable' designation of Jerusalem as Israel's 'undivided capital'.

MENA

3 min read

The New Arab & agencies

29 January, 2020

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced the 'Deal of the Century' [Anadolu/Getty]

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lambasted a Middle East plan unveiled by US counterpart Donald Trump as "absolutely unacceptable" in comments published Wednesday.

"Jerusalem is sacred for Muslims. The plan to give Jerusalem to Israel is absolutely unacceptable. This plan ignores Palestinians' rights and is aimed at legitimising Israel's occupation," Erdogan said, quoted by CNN Turk broadcaster.

"The plan outlined will not serve peace or bring about a solution," he added.

Trump unveiled Tuesday long-awaited details of his so-called "Deal of the Century", the long-awaited plan aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying Jerusalem would remain Israel's "undivided capital".

The plan was revealed at a White House press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

As part of the plan, future Palestinian statehood would be based on a series of strict conditions - including requiring the future state to be "demilitarised".

While the peace plan has garnered support from some Western and Gulf allies - including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the UK - it has been rejected by Palestinians, for whom the proposed annexation of West Bank settlements and the Jordan Valley is viewed as being completely unacceptable.

Turkey-Israel relations are currently tense while Erdogan regards himself as a champion of the Palestinian cause.

When Washington recognised the capital of Israel as Jerusalem in 2017 and moved the embassy there, Turkish officials repeatedly criticised Trump's decision.

Iran also rejected the plan Wednesday, condemning it as the "treason of the century".

"The shameful peace plan imposed by America on the Palestinians is the treason of the century and doomed to fail," the foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

What is the 'Deal of the Century'?

Unveiled after a three-year wait on Tuesday, Trump's so-called "Deal of the Century" claims to be an "historic opportunity" for a two state solution to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.

The US president claims peace plan would more than double territory earmarked for a Palestinian state and grant the future state a capital in East Jerusalem, although others have decribed the deal as "farcical".

[Click to enlarge]

Meanwhile, Israel would be granted an "undivided" capital in Jerusalem under the deal. Tel Aviv would also be given the green light to annex the Jordan Valley - a vital zone which makes up some 30 percent of the West Bank - and Israeli settlements, which are widely considered illegal under international law.

Israel would be allowed its capital in Jerusalem with all territory west of the seperation wall, including the historic old city and major Palestinian-majority neighbourhoods, whereas Palestine would be granted only areas of Jerusalem to the east of the wall.

Read More: Trump's plan leaves Palestinians no option but to reject it. Just as he intended

In return for lost territory in the occupied West Bank, the future Palestinian state would be granted territories in the sparsely populated Negev desert close to the Egyptian border. Other concessions include $50 billion worth of investment in the future state and access to two ports.

Both officials from the Palestinian Authority and protesters across the West Bank and besieged Gaza Strip have already rejected the deal, which critics say is overwhelmingly pro-Israel and will prevent the formation of a viable Palestinian state.

Maps unveiled by the White House on Tuesday reveal how the future states of Israel and Palestine would look if the deal is realised.