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Trump Setting the Stage for a Renewal of the Peace Process
(BICOM-UK) Brig.-Gen. (res.) Michael Herzog interviewed by Calev Ben-Dor - When PA President Mahmoud Abbas came to the White House he was received warmly. President Trump went out of his way to make Abbas feel comfortable, and the Palestinians reported that the meeting and the whole visit was a huge success. The Palestinians in recent months have expressed willingness to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu without preconditions. They agreed to hold such a meeting in Russia, and now with Trump. But we should not expect the Palestinians to be soft in any future negotiations despite appearing soft on their previous preconditions. I think Trump's visit is more of a symbolic nature, to create a positive atmosphere. It's more about setting the stage than about starting the process itself. The administration needs to set realistic goals. If the Americans decide to go for a full, comprehensive deal, then based on past experience and my reading of the current situation, I think they will fail. Brig.-Gen. (res.) Michael Herzog, a participant in nearly all Israeli-Palestinian negotiations since 1993, is a former chief of staff to Israel's minister of defense.