Trump’s ruthless Israel-Palestinian plan shows how important Prince Charles is

Both the US president and the Prince of Wales have marked 2020 by highlighting the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict. But their positions are, unsurprisingly, very different, says Nabila Ramdani

Bejamin Netanyahu with Donald Trump at the White House in January (Reuters)

The start of a new decade is traditionally a time of optimism and renewal, and both American president Donald Trump and heir to the throne Prince Charles have already marked 2020 by highlighting the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict. Their positions on the most intractable foreign policy issue in the world today are, unsurprisingly, very different.

Trump has unveiled a ruthlessly one-sided annexation plan – one that is provably illegal under international law – and principally aimed at boosting Israel’s colonial ambitions. The US head of state chose to tell the world about his ludicrously mistitled “Peace to Prosperity” road map while standing next to a grinning Benjamin Netanyahu, the indicted Israeli prime minister who is awaiting trial for breach of trust, bribery and fraud. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Many, including senior politicians and United Nations officials, have for years argued that there is enough evidence to put Netanyahu in the dock as a war criminal at the International Criminal Court, but Trump has shown no concerns about this at all.