It is telling that Donald Trump chose to invite two Israeli politicians and no Palestinians to Washington for the launch of his peace plan to tackle the decades-old conflict.

Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival Benny Gantz – both vying for Israel’s premiership in elections due in a few weeks – are to fly out this weekend for separate discussions with the US president on what has been dubbed the “deal of the century”.

Back home, the Palestinian leadership, which cut contact with Washington years ago and has long said the US cannot be an honest broker, allegedly found out about the plan from Israeli media.

Palestinian presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh has said the Palestinians’ “clear and unwavering position” is to reject any Trump-led initiatives. The territories’ chief negotiator Dr Saeb Erekat added that any proposal that ignores that Israel is occupying the Palestinian Territories will be “recorded in history as the fraud of the century”.

Certainly, the leaks in Israeli media, if they are to be believed (Trump has called them “speculative”) point to an agreement which the Palestinians – if they have any interest in having a proper functioning sovereign state – cannot accept.

National Demonstration for Palestine Show all 57 1 /57 National Demonstration for Palestine National Demonstration for Palestine Protest icon, Ahed Tamimi meets supporters of the Palestine cause at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Marie Berry National Demonstration for Palestine Rapper and activist Lowkey meet a supporter of the Palestine cause at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Saskia Whitfield National Demonstration for Palestine Dub poet Benjamin Zephaniah meets supporters of the Palestine cause at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 National Demonstration for Palestine Journalists report from the scene of the demonstration at Whitehall during the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters of the Palestine cause pose for a picture at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Tariq Ali speaks to the crowd at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Diane Abbott at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Shamil Jorda from Friends of Al Aqsa (left) said it was important to advocate self determination for Palestine, however, he said "it is up to the Palestinian people to decide what solution they want ” and that the UK government needs to ensure it implements international law and abides by UN resolutions. Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters of the Palestine cause at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Protest icon Ahed Tamimi speaks to the media at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine MP Richard Bergen gives a speech at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Palestinian protest icon Ahed Tamimi gives a speech at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Palestinian protest icon Ahed Tamimi gives a speech at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi became a global sensation after she slapped an Israeli soldier at the West Bank last year. She is stood here next to Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Dr Husam Zomlot who introduced her to the crowd at the at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Protestors show solidarity for Palestine at at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi became a global sensation after she slapped an Israeli soldier at the West Bank last year. She is stood here next to Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Dr Husam Zomlot who introduced her to the crowd at the at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Dr Husam Zomlot speaks to the crowd at the at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Zita Holborn, national vice chairman of the Public and Commercial Services Union and chair of Black Activists Rising Against Cuts Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Member of the media backstage at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Stewards back stage at the at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Ahed Tamimi with her father and supporters back stage at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine A supporter listens intently to a speech at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine A speaker at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Salma Yaqoob at Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019. She told The Independent the UK and US need to be “honest brokers” because its role “has been too one-sided.” She added: “First off, the UK can stop arms trading with Israel. There needs to be a social and political boycott of the state of Israel and people need to keep to the promises they made years ago. The UK needs to take a moral leadership in that, but instead, we’re seeing the very opposite.” Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Ahed Tamimi with her father Bessem, back stage at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine A supporter at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Celtic Football Club supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine An Indonesian family show their support at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Catherine Charrett, a lecturer at Queen Mary and Westfield College’s School of Politics and International Relations told The Independent it was crucial to bring an end to Israel’s apartheid system. She said: “You cannot continue to treat a population as if they’re targets of war to be used for military practice. Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine A supporter at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine The crowd of protestors included members of ultra Orthodox Jewish community, the Haredi, who said they were there to show solidarity because they did not support the oppression of the Palestinian people. Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine The crowd of protestors included members of ultra Orthodox Jewish community, the Haredi, who said they were there to show solidarity because they did not support the oppression of the Palestinian people. Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Football Against Apartheid at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Flags and banners at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Flags and banners at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine A speaker at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent

According to Israeli Channel 13, the plan includes granting Israel complete control of the contested city of Jerusalem, with only symbolic Palestinian representation. Israel will also get sovereignty over most of its settlements in the occupied West Bank, effectively handing over a third of Palestinian territory to Israel.

The leaks also say that the plan makes Palestinian statehood conditional on things like the complete demilitarisation of Gaza and disarmament of Hamas – conditions no Palestinian leader would be able to enforce.

And so this deal seems less interested in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict than in eroding the accepted principles for peace, all while legitimising the reality on the ground (the de facto annexation of most of the West Bank), even if it violates international law.

With no other world power taking the initiative to put forward an alternative plan, America’s may well be successful.

Leaks aside, the words of Trump’s cadres speak volumes. Jason Greenblatt, Trump’s adviser on Israel, tweeted to the UN’s Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov – who had suggested that the annexation of Israeli-controlled areas of the West Bank would be a “devastating blow” to advancing regional peace – that there has to be a “reality check about Judea & Samaria/ West Bank”. Jared Kushner, Mr Trump’s son-in-law and the architect of the plan, has made it clear that the phrase “two-state solution”, the largely accepted resolution to the crisis, will not be included in the plan.

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This is not entirely surprising given that, when the economic segment of the agreement was unveiled in Bahrain last year, Kushner avoided speaking about the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories; the near-wars between the Israeli army and militants in Gaza; and the Palestinian desire for statehood. Instead, he spoke of a Palestinian “community” that could benefit financially if they only capitulate. As Dr Yara Hawari, senior policy fellow of Al Shabaka: The Palestinian Policy Network, told me: “The economy plan which was released last year was very telling: Palestinians would be offered economic incentives in exchange for their rights.”

Looking at the geographical elements of the plan that have since been leaked, she added: “I don’t think there is a possibility of a Palestinian state.”

Noah Gottschalk, Oxfam America’s humanitarian policy lead, agreed that the Trump administration’s plan is not a peace deal but rather “a roadmap to permanent occupation”, calling on the US congress and presidential candidates to reject it. “By legitimising ongoing rights violations and entrenching existing political divisions,” he said, the plan “further dims the prospects for peace. It also undermines any remaining hopes for the United States to serve as a credible broker between Israelis and Palestinians in the future.”

The timing and the mode of the delivery of the plan also appear to be driven less by the conflict itself than by American and Israeli domestic agendas. Trump is marching towards an election while undergoing an impeachment trial; Netanyahu is also campaigning for re-election under the shadow of indictment. According to Hawari, the two men are aware of their parallel predicaments: “We saw a conversation between [US vice president Mike] Pence and Netanyahu the other day that when Netanyahu commented on Trump’s impeachment – Pence said he was unstoppable as much as Netanyahu is unstoppable. This very much goes to go show Trump’s plan goes hand in hand with the re-election of Netanyahu,” she added.

Tamara Cofman Wittes, senior fellow in the Centre for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, agreed. “At this moment, in these circumstances, teasing proposals for a territorial outcome seems more about helping Trump and Netanyahu reinforce one another amongst key domestic political constituencies as they each face domestic political challenges.”

Israeli commentators have pointed to the same. As Yossi Verter wrote in Haaretz, Trump’s plan generates “a heavyweight issue that could overshadow Netanyahu’s immunity bid” in his corruption trial. Even the timing is perfect, Verter wrote. The meeting between Trump, Netanyahu and Gantz in Washington has been set for Tuesday – the same day the knesset will convene to discuss setting up a parliamentary committee to handle Netanyahu’s immunity request.

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The plan has already heralded by as a win for the Israel right, and a de facto green light for annexation from Washington. This makes it very difficult for Gantz to talk up replacing Netanyahu as PM, or to display anything that isn’t complete unity.