A plan for peace between Israel and the Palestinians cannot rely on global consensus, inconclusive international law and "unclear" UN resolutions, US Special Representative for International Negotiations told the UN Security Council on Tuesday, sparking pushback from several countries.
Jason Greenblatt and senior Trump adviser Jared Kushner have spent two years developing the so-called "deal of the century" - made up of political and economic components - that they hope will provide a framework for renewed talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Greenblatt said Trump hoped to make a decision "soon" on whether to release the closely held plan before or after Israel's repeat election in September. Kushner and Greenblatt have not said if it calls for a two-state solution, a goal of past peace efforts.
"The vision for peace that we plan to present will not be ambiguous, unlike many resolutions that have passed in this chamber," he said.
The Security Council has long endorsed a vision of two states living side by side within secure and recognized borders. The Palestinians want a state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip.
"If that were achievable, I think we'd already have peace. It's not achievable," Greenblatt told reporters, adding the "60-or-so"-page plan "does not contain a one-state solution."
"This conflict will not end on the basis of an 'international consensus' about who is right and who is wrong, about who should give up X and who should give up Y," he said.
Greenblatt told the 15-member council that peace could not be achieved "by fiat of international law or by these heavily wordsmithed, unclear resolutions," triggering strong rebuttals from several members, including Germany, Russia, Britain, France and Indonesia.
"For us, international law is not menu a la carte," Germany's UN ambassador, Christoph Heusgen, told the council.
"There are other instances where US representatives here insist on international law, insist on the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions, for instance on North Korea," Heusgen said.
British representative Karen Pierce said all countries "have a responsibility" to implement resolutions.
'Put aside blanket rejections'
France would support any peace effort "so long as this aligns with the approach that we have set out together, so long as this adheres to international law, specifically all resolutions of the Security Council," French UN Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere said.
"Security Council resolutions are international law, they merely need to be complied with," said Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia.
Greenblatt later told reporters that he understood his remarks might have irritated some people.
"But there's nothing that I said that in our view wasn't truthful and I think that everything that I said is a necessary step to eventually airing the plan and, if there's traction, getting to results," he said.
Greenblatt, Kushner and US Iran envoy Brian Hook will travel to the Middle East later this month to promote a proposed $50 billion economic development plan for the Palestinians, Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon.
"We are trying to view this holistically," Greenblatt said of Hook being part of the delegation. "Even if I had a great peace plan, if we don't figure out how to make sure that Iran doesn't spoil it, how much success are we really going to have?"
While addressing the Security Council, Greenblatt called on the Palestinians "to put aside blanket rejections of a plan they have not even seen" and show a willingness to engage in talks with Israel. He also urged the council to encourage the parties to return to the negotiating table.
He said a solution "cannot be forced on the parties."
"Let's be honest with ourselves, and the parties, and the region, that the only way ahead is direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians," he added.
Nebenzia suggested a visit by the Security Council to the region was overdue and could be helpful. The United States has long objected to a council visit, which has to be agreed by consensus, diplomats said.
