Bahrain Mirror: US President Donald Trump thanked Oman, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates for participating in the announcement of his administration's peace plan, known as the "Deal of the Century", amid Palestinian rejection. At the end of his speech, Trump thanked the UAE, Bahrain and Oman "for the incredible work they've done, helping us with so much and sending their ambassadors to be with us today."

Israeli Prime Minister thanked ambassadors of Muscat, Manama and Abu Dhabi saying: "With the ambassadors of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Oman, what a pleasure to see you here [...] and what a sign it portends - I was going to say of the future." He added "This is a historic day. And it recalls another historic day. We remember [...] on that day, President Truman became the first world leader to recognize the State of Israel."

Bahrain's Ambassador to the United States, Sheikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, represented Bahrain at the announcement ceremony of the "peace" plan, which Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar missed.

Trump started his speech saying that "The Land of Israel is an ancient home, a sacred place of worship, and a solemn promise to the Jewish people. Our vision for peace is fundamentally different from past proposals."

"Governments throughout the region are realizing that terrorism and Islamic extremism are everyone's common enemy," he added.

In this context, Trump stated that he is "amazed by what this small country had achieved," explaining that some people use Palestinians as pawns to advance terrorism. "Today, Israel takes a big step towards peace."

Trump said "My vision presents a win-win opportunity for both sides. This vision for peace is fundamentally different from past proposals."

As for the situation of the occupied Jerusalem, Trump stated "Under this vision, Jerusalem will remain Israel's undivided capital," stressing that "will never ask Israel to compromise its security."

"This map will more than double the Palestinian territory and provide a Palestinian capital in eastern Jerusalem where America will proudly open an embassy."

"We will form a joint committee with Israel to convert the conceptual map into a more detailed and calibrated rendering so that recognition can be immediately achieved. Our vision will deliver a massive commercial investment of $50 billion into the new Palestinian state."

The US president said that he sent a letter to President Abbas stating that Palestinians have four years to study the peace plan. He also told Abbas that the US administration will be by your side to help you build your state if you accept this map.

"It is time for the Muslim world to fix the mistake it made in 1948 when it chose to attack, instead of recognize, the new State of Israel. It's time," he said. "America is prepared to work with all parties on our vision. These ancient lands should not be symbols of conflict but eternal symbols of peace."

For his part, the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu described Trump's peace plan as "exceptional", saying it is the century's opportunity.

"This is a historic day. And it recalls another historic day [...] when President Truman became the first world leader to recognize the State of Israel," Netanyahu said.

The Israeli PM stressed that he noticed the importance of Trump's recognition of Israel sovereignty on the Jordan Valley and other strategic areas in the West Bank to protect itself. He added that he decided to adopt Trump's plan as a basis to resolve the conflict.

Netanyahu considered that Trump's peace plan addresses the root cause of the conflict by insisting that the Palestinians will finally have to recognize Israel as the Jewish State. "Israel will be prepared to negotiate peace right away," he stressed.

Ahead of Trump's announcement, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the Palestinian leadership to hold an urgent meeting.

Azzam Al-Ahmad, a member of the PLO executive committee, said the Palestinian leadership will take a "deliberate and practical decision" that will thwart everything the administration is presenting about the so-called "Deal of the Century".

In an interview with Turkey's Anatolia news agency, Al-Ahmad stressed that it is time to analyze all the agreements between the authority and Israel in response to the US plan.

Arabic Version