Washington - US President Donald Trump is set to unveil his
long-awaited Middle East peace plan on Tuesday - a "deal of the
century," according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
which has raised concerns of unrest in the Palestinian Territories.
Both leaders are set to give a press conference on the plan, which
has been three years in the making, in Washington at noon (1700 GMT).
"You have been the greatest friend that Israel has had in the White
House, and I think tomorrow we can continue making history," said
Netanyahu on Monday, after he and his his centre-right political
rival Benny Gantz conducted separate meetings with Trump about the
plan.
According to leaks about the plan published in Israeli media, Trump's
plans include the annexation of Israeli settlements in the West Bank
and the Jordan Valley. However, other reports said the plan foresees
some 70 to 80 per cent of the West Bank under Palestinian control.
The Israeli army announced on Tuesday that, ahead of the deal's
presentation, it would reinforce troops in the Jordan Valley with
infantry.
Palestinians have already rejected Trump's role as a negotiator in
the conflict, saying his series of decidedly pro-Israel moves has
disqualified the United States from a role in ending the conflict.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called for a meeting of
leaders in Ramallah at the same time as the plan is to be unveiled.
Protest organizers have called on Palestinians to turn out in force
for marches and activities rejecting the deal once it is published.