CMEP Bulletin: Pompeo in Israel Rebuffs Meeting with Palestinians
Pompeo and Palestinians Have ‘Nothing to Discuss’ Amid Gaza Crisis The New York Times
“Secretary of State Mike Pompeo came to Israel Sunday in the midst of the worst crisis in relations between Israelis and Palestinians in years, but he did not meet a single Palestinian representative and mentioned them publicly once.”
Abbas Warns of Unspecified ‘Tough Steps’ Against Israel, US The Washington Post
“Abbas told hundreds of delegates that he is sticking to his rejection of any U.S. proposals for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal following the Trump administration’s recognition in December of contested Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and a decision to move the U.S. Embassy there in mid-May.” Following the speech, which was highly criticized for inflammatory and anti-Semitic rhetoric, Abbas issued an apology and condemned anti-Semitism in all forms.
Trump: I Still ‘May Go’ to U.S. Embassy Dedication in Jerusalem Next Month Haaretz
“U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he still “may go” to the ceremony in Jerusalem next month … and bragged about saving money by rejecting an initial proposal to devote $1 billion for the construction of a new embassy, and replacing it with a significantly more moderate plan costing close to $400,000 instead.”