ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday reiterated its longstanding position on the Palestine dispute, but avoi­ded condemnation of Presi­dent Trump’s ‘peace plan’.

“Pakistan continues to support a just and lasting solution of the Palestinian issue, through dialogue and negotiations, that leads to the realisation of the legitimate rights of the Palestinians, including the right of self-determination,” the Foreign Office said in its reaction to what President Trump is describing as the Middle East Plan and the ‘Deal of the Century’ .

President Trump, while unveiling the plan that had been in works since the start of his presidency, described it as a win-win solution for both Israelis and Palestinians. He claimed that the deal would lead to realisation of the two-state solution for the conflict. He further announced that Jerusalem would remain the undivided capital of Israel.

Palestinians, who were not consulted in the formulation of the proposed deal, immediately rejected it as the ‘new Balfour Declaration’.

Palestinians have rejected US initiative as the ‘new Balfour Declaration’

Pakistan has consistently supported a two-state solution, as enshrined in the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, the FO recalled and resolved to continue support for the cause till Palestinians get their due rights including the right of self-determination.

“We renew our call for the establishment of a viable, independent and contiguous State of Palestine, on the basis of internationally-agreed parameters, the pre-1967 borders, and with Al Quds Al-Sharif as its capital,” it said while renewing Pakistan’s longstanding position on the conflict.

The Pakistani statement means that there would be no change in Pakistan’s position on the dispute, but would not either oppose the alternate plan being promoted by Mr Trump, which also enjoys the backing of some of the powerful Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Islamabad’s stance is apparently closer to that of Qatar, which has both welcomed Trump’s plan and has emphasised on setting up of a Palestinian state “within the 1967 borders, including East Jerusalem”.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry had in its reaction said: “The Kingdom appreciates the efforts of President Trump’s Administration to develop a comprehensive peace plan between the Palestinian and Israeli sides; and encourages the start of direct peace negotiation between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, under the auspices of the United States, and to resolve any disagreements with aspects of the plan through negotiations, in order to move forward the peace process to reach an agreement that achieves the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.”

The UAE’s envoy to Washington, meanwhile, said: “This plan is a serious initiative that addresses many issues raised over the years. The plan … offers an important starting point for a return to negotiations within a US-led international framework.”

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2020