Palestinian sources announced that the government in Ramallah had been offered large sums of money to enter into a compromise with Israel regarding control of Jerusalem. The American “Deal of the Century” has been categorically rejected by the Palestinians. Abbas instead refers to US President Donald Trump’s still-unpublished peace scheme as “the slap of the century.”

Palestinian politicians admit that they are disappointed with the other Arab countries, most of which today pay little more than lip service to the Palestinian cause. “Arab governments, all of them Muslim, are leaving us in the lurch,” the Palestinian advisor for Religious Affairs, Mahmoud Habash, complained.

The Palestinians are particularly furious with Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Of late, both countries have boosted cooperation with Israel, while giving something of a cold shoulder to the Palestinian Authority. In turn, Palestinian criticism of Arab governments is now nearly as loud as their criticism of Israel. In the Arab press, it is increasingly common to read that the rest of the region is weary of the Palestinian conflict. It has even been heard from various...

Israel Today Membership

Become a Member

• Read all member content

  Get exclusive in-depth reports from Israel.

• Get exclusive in-depth reports from Israel

  Connect with Israel, right from your home.

• Lift up the voice of truth and hope

  Support Jerusalem-based Zionist journalism.

Become a Member

Already a member? Login here.