Saudi FM endorses Trump's 'Deal of the Century'

Adel al-Jubeir has endorsed the controversial Deal of the Century which Palestinians have been strongly opposed to.

2 min read

13 February, 2020

Adel al-Jubeir is in Romania [Getty]

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir endorsed Trump's so-called Deal of the Century in a press conference on Thursday, stating that the controversial deal had some "positive elements".

"There are positive elements in Trump's peace plan, which can serve as a basis for negotiation," the top diplomat said during a visit to Romania.

He said the deal may not come into fruition easily because of Palestinian opposition.

"We have an Arab peace initiative with Israel," he said, referring to the 2002 initiative of creating peace with Israel in exchange of the Palestinian right to return and a withdrawal of illegal Israeli settlements.

The Deal of the Century, however, disregards the initiative by annexing parts of the occupied West Bank to Israel.

"The Palestinians believe that the Trump plan is not appropriate for them and we cannot negotiate on their behalf. We must support their decision."

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump unveiled the initiative for a Palestinian-Israeli deal that would cede large swaths of the West Bank to Israel and put forward a set of near-impossible conditions for Palestinians to meet.

Saudi Arabia has previously welcomed the peace plan despite Palestinian opposition.

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry said it "appreciates" Trump's efforts and called for the start of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Gulf rulers have come under harsh criticism for their perceived abandonment of support for Palestinian statehood and the rights of some 5.1 million of Palestinians living under occupation.