White House Tolerates Israel's Rejection of 15-Point Peace Plan as Gaza Withdrawal Talks Inch Forward
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Aug 12
White House Tolerates Israel's Rejection of 15-Point Peace Plan as Gaza Withdrawal Talks Inch Forward
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Aug 12
Summary
U.S. officials are accepting Benjamin Netanyahu’s public rejection of the latest peace proposal because they still see quiet movement toward a next phase with Israel.
Israeli planning for at least some troop withdrawal toward Gaza’s “yellow line” has given Trump allies hope Netanyahu’s rhetoric is aimed at domestic voters while his government tests parts of the 15-point plan.
That tolerance also rests on U.S. confidence that it has built enough credibility with Israel to keep negotiations alive despite Israeli skepticism that Hamas will honor any commitments.
The biggest obstacle remains sequencing: Hamas says it will disarm only if Israel withdraws from Gaza, leaving unresolved who moves first and how either side would verify compliance.
Allies of the U.S.-backed Board of Peace still worry Netanyahu’s public rejection is eroding confidence in the broader Middle East peace effort even as talks on Gaza and Lebanon continue incrementally.