US President Donald Trump (L) and Israel's Prime Benjamin Minister Netanyahu deliver joint remarks on the Middle East peace plan proposal at the White House in Washington. Under Trump's proposed Middle East peace plan announced at a White House ceremony attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the United States will recognise Israeli settlements on the occupied West Bank. "Today, Israel has taken a giant step toward peace," Trump said, adding that he had sent a letter about the proposal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Israeli-Palestinian talks broke down in 2014, and it was far from clear that the Trump plan will resuscitate them. Israeli leaders have agreed to negotiate on the basis of the Trump plan and agreed to the map, the officials said.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 28, 2020 19:30 UTC