White House denies report Trump offered Abbas $5 bil. to enter peace talks

The report, in Globes, claimed that Trump diplomats also gave Abbas' aides a "detailed timetable" for the start of negotiations.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 19:42

Updated: SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 20:20

Donald Trump (L) and Mahmoud Abbas (R) (photo credit: REUTERS) — Donald Trump (L) and Mahmoud Abbas (R)

(photo credit: REUTERS)

WASHINGTON – The White House denied a report published in Israeli media on Thursday claiming that US President Donald Trump offered Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas $5 billion in economic and infrastructure aid if he agrees to enter peace talks with Israel.

The report, in Globes, claims that Trump diplomats also gave Abbas’ aides a “detailed timetable” for the start of negotiations.

“This is false,” a National Security Council official said in response to the story.

White House officials have worked for 19 months on a plan for a comprehensive peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians. Senior aides to the president say they will release the plan “when the timing is right,” which has thus far not come to pass since the PA cut off contact with the administration over its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital last year.

US enjoy Jason Greenblatt tweeted a response to the Globes publication, "Myth: @GlobesEnglish “reporting” that @POTUS is offering $5b to PA to return to the negotiating table."

Greenblatt also tweeted, "It is an absurd idea to pay $5b for a party to “return to the negotiating table.” How would that accomplish peace?"

Fact: False. When the peace plan is released, if the PA is serious about peace & wants to improve Palestinian lives, the PA should want to review the plan & engage. It is an absurd idea to pay $5b for a party to “return to the negotiating table.” How would that accomplish peace??
— Jason D. Greenblatt (@jdgreenblatt45) September 13, 2018

The Trump team in recent weeks has cut funding to a series of Palestinian interests, including aid to the West Bank and Gaza, to east Jerusalem hospitals, and to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, as well as closing the PLO’s offices in Washington.

PA leaders recently stated that Palestine “cannot be bought or sold,” ostensibly reacting to the aid cuts, and continue to dismiss the notion of Trump-brokered peace talks.