we'll bring you the news and current affairs that matter to you. 1700 hours g.m.t. . people and this is al-jazeera special coverage of president donald trump's unveiling of his plan to end the israeli palestinian conflict you're watching live pictures there from the white house where the president is expected to come out at any moment now and make that announcement we were expecting him to make it alongside the israeli prime minister binyamin netanyahu has been in washington but we understand now that the president will be speaking alone and possibly taking questions later though that's not been confirmed yet not palestinians have already rejected this a plan for peace calling it and calling it really a plan that favors israel and have also called for an emergency meeting of the arab

league. and there's been protests in gaza in the lead up to this announcement nearly 2000 people were on the streets earlier burning tires and waving palestinian flags they accuse donald trump of putting together a deal that will only benefit israel in the occupied west bank meanwhile israeli troops have increased numbers never amala small protests have begun there and larger crowds are expected later extra soldiers have also been sent to the jordan valley an area that's now as french to partially. cooled the shop we need a leadership that will guide to be in the 1st lines of the protests we want to see the government by our side they need to share their vision with us so we can rally behind them. the u.s. is hoping this war you lose with the. county they will. to be the world's policeman

without competition so. the ultimate time i think is right and we are in our weakest we are still. divided. and. helpless. we don't cover lies restamp. now we've got several correspondents standing by to cover this story we have in a model i need. stephanie deca is in gaza harry fawcett in the west jerusalem we go 1st to our white house correspondent kimberly hocket way that plan is going to be unveiled at the white house kimberly of course a bit of a change in how it's going to be announced we understand now company that the israeli prime minister is not going to be there with the u.s. president. yet i was trying to get some clarity on that right up until we came on air and there still is very little clarity on why that is the case because that

certainly wasn't the case 24 hours ago what we're trying to determine is whether he is the israeli leader will be in the audience or whether he will not be in the room at all but what i can tell you right now per our producer who is in the diplomatic room where this is said to be lodged is that right now there is only one podium that has been set up so certainly this will lot be side by side remarks which is initially what we had expected so again watching the diplomatic room very carefully for the details of this proposal that we have been waiting for almost instead of truck took office and promised that he would bring about some revolutionary deal to resolve the issues that have been longstanding between israelis and palestinians the leaks that we've had so far about this plan though certainly perhaps discouraging for those who are looking for a bit more in terms of trying to resolve those disputes limited autonomy to the palestinians remapping of the west bank border redrawing that border between israel

and the west bank we're being told to incorporate jewish settlements already inside the west bank into the broader israeli border and also that there would be a retention of some form of israeli security control inside the west bank now the timeline we're hearing for all of this. about 3 years that there would be some benchmarks. the israelis expect the palestinians to meet in terms of renouncing violence new political measures but again no clarity in terms of what those measures are exactly what this does seem to indicate that what we're watching carefully is that it seems to fall short of the international standard of a fully independent state for palestinians a plan company as you say that spain the long awaited i mean we've been talking about this since donald trump came to office and a plan that's been crafted by his son in law and special advisor. that's right gerrard cushion or as we know has had and take part of this for quite

some time we remember many months ago that he tried to take almost an economic real estate type approach to incentivizing the acceptance of this plan proposals to raise some 50000000000 dollars to help the palestinians who of course have been struggling economically what we're hearing in all of this and i am still getting some notes from our producer inside the room is that interestingly it doesn't appear there are going to be any questions taken by the president the press we're being told is being pushed to the back of the room guests are in the front and that is also very interesting because they seems to indicate there's an expectation that what is about to be delivered will be confrontational and there's a desire to control the media messages this is put out any word on who the guests are inside that diplomatic room. i don't have a strong indication we do know that there are some our producers some top supporters of the president from capitol hill senator ted cruz congressman kevin

kevin mccarthy mark meadows as well as steve schoolies these are congressmen that have been strong supporters of president trump particularly as this impeachment trial has been under way and there's been a lot of talk about all of that in the timing of this that this is potentially helpful to president trump to have this being disseminated now to detract from the final days of legal arguments by his lawyers on capitol hill and of course there's also been the argument this is beneficial for the israeli leader given the corruption charges that he's facing in terms of the broader audience though we know there are several rows of guests that are set up in that room but it's very unusual what's happening right now given the fact this was really initially billed as joint remarks but once again what the latest we're getting from our producer inside that diplomatic room is just one podium being set up to unveil this plan kimberly as we wait for the president to appear in that diplomatic room and speak we're going to

leave you for a few minutes and come back to washington of course as soon as donald trump arrives there let's speak to harry fossett in the meantime in west as can be said harry we already have some you know leaks we sort of know what's going to be in this plan and it's been described as one that favors israel heavily how is it being received there when looking at the u.s. secretary of state arriving in the diplomatic room a number of guests and asking what he said also interesting me it would appear that benyamin this now won't be present during in. yeah that is interesting certainly it had been sold very much by benjamin netanyahu up until this point as a great historic opportunity of which he was the only person in israeli politics who could really make the most of and we really expected it to be pretty much

a bilateral event with trump and netanyahu no doubt was netanyahu will be making the most of it nonetheless in every way possible he is there in washington d.c. at this moment which it which as i say he's been broadcasting here as part of his election campaign the 3rd consecutive israeli election coming up at the beginning of march as a hugely important historic event since the last election and just before the last election he's been talking about an exceeding the jordan valley inside the occupied west bank one of the key questions really about this plan is whether it does allow for israeli annexation of areas inside the occupied west bank and if it does does it allow for it almost immediately there is some reporting to that effect or does it put a halt of a few years potentially on any such measures allowing the palestinians in the u.s. estimation to try to come around after the rejection which has already come through

from the palestinians there are also questions as to how it will be received that was what you're asking before right here in israel certainly the broad sort of center right of israeli politics will welcome it but there are those on the extreme right the settler movement for instance who see any mention of a palestinian state as entirely toxic and they are rejecting it already. they are indeed rejecting it and we'll be speaking to stephanie in just a few minutes about the palestinian reaction and anita abraham in ramallah as well harry just one more question about the political implications here for next now as kimberly said the unveiling of this plan coming at a interesting time for both leaders in the u.s. and prime minister netanyahu their leaders are about to come in know what ok let's let's stand by for president. harry he's about to arrive there is walking into the east room now. is indeed with him he's standing besides the u.s.

president israeli prime minister let's listen in. thank you. thank you. thank you very much there. today israel takes a big step towards peace.

thank you. young people across the middle east are ready for a more hopeful future and governments throughout the region are realizing that terrorism and islamic extremism are everyone's common enemy yesterday i had the pleasure of meeting with both the prime minister of israel and a man that's working very hard to become the primary in a service or in the longest running election of all time. benny gantz of the blue and white party and both leaders join me to express their support for this effort proving that the state of israel looking for peace and that peace transcends politics by any measure and measurable that's what they want to thank. on my 1st trip overseas as president

i visited the holy land of israel i was deeply moved and amazed by what this small country had achieved in the face of overwhelming odds and never ending threats the state of israel comprises only a miniscule amount of land in the middle east and yet it has become a thriving center of democracy innovation culture and commerce israel is a light unto the world the hearts and history of our people are woven together the land of israel is an ancient home a sacred place of worship and a solemn promise to the jewish people that we will never again repeat history's darkest hour. the and thank during my trip to israel i also met. with palestinian president

abbas in bethlehem i was saddened by the fate of the palestinian people they deserve a far better life they deserve the chance to achieve their extraordinary potential palestinians have been trapped in a cycle of terrorism poverty and violence exploited by those seeking to use them as pawns to advance terrorism and extremism i returned from my visit to term and to find a constructive path and it's got to be a very powerful path forward in the israeli palestinian conflict to further this effort i also met with president abbas at the white house forging peace between israelis and palestinians may be the most difficult challenge of all. all prior administrations from president lyndon johnson have tried and bitterly failed . but i was not elected to do small things or shy away from big problems

thank you it's been a long and very arduous process to arrive at this moment on sunday i delivered to prime minister netanyahu my vision for peace prosperity and a brighter future for israelis and palestinians this vision for peace is fundamentally different from past proposals in the past even though most well intentioned plans were light on factual details and heavy on conceptual framework. by contrast our plan is 80 pages and is the most detailed proposal ever put forward by far as i have seen throughout my long career as

a deal maker complex problems require nuanced fact based remedies that is why our proposal provides precise technical solutions to make israelis palestinians and the region safer and much more prosperous my vision presents a win win opportunity for both sides a realistic 2 state solution that resolves the risks phallus that in statehood to israel's security today israel has taken a giant step toward peace yesterday prime minister netanyahu informed me that he is willing to endorse the vision as the basis for direct negotiations and i will say the general also endorsed and very strongly with the palestinians a historic breakthrough and likewise. we have really

a situation having to do with a race that is taking place right now it will end and we have the support and it's very important to say this both parties and almost all people in israel they want peace and they want peace badly alan was this is the 1st time israel has authorized the release of a conceptual map illustrating the territorial compromises it's willing to make for the cause of peace and they've got a long way this is an unprecedented and highly significant development mr prime minister thank you for having the courage to take this bold step fault you

was on b.b. we have a lot of powerful people in this room other people that can help make it work so that's quite a thunderous applause thank you very much thank you. we will form a joint committee with israel to convert the conceptual map into a more detailed and calibrated rendering so that recognition can be immediately achieved the it will also work to

create a contiguous territory within the future palestinian state for when the conditions for statehood are met including the firm rejection of terrorism thank you ah under this vision jerusalem will remain israel's undivided very important undivided capital you a in a bunk

but that's no big deal because i've already done that for you right. we've already done that but that's ok it's going to remain that way and the united states will recognize israeli sovereignty over the territory that my vision provides to be part of the state of israel very important to you i in crucially the proposed transition to a 2 state solution will present no incremental security risk to the state of israel whatsoever you we will not allow a return to the. days of bloodshed bus bombings nightclub attacks and relentless terror won't be allowed peace requires compromise but we will never ask israel to compromise its security came to you

again as everyone knows i have done a lot for israel moving the united states embassy to jerusalem recognizing you are recognizing the golan heights again and frankly perhaps most importantly getting out of the terrible iran nuclear deal for you a good there's a lot of spirit in this room. you don't see it often you don't see it often.

therefore it is only reasonable that i have to do a lot for the palestinians or it just wouldn't be fair don't plan for them ok but it's true it wouldn't be fair i want this deal to be a great deal for the palestinians it has to be today's agreement is a historic opportunity for the palestinians to finally achieve an independent state of their very own after 70 years of little progress this could be the last opportunity they will ever have and last for a lot of reasons we'll never have a team like we have right now we have a team of people that love the united states and they love israel and they're very smart and very very committed from your ambassador david friedman you and jason and avi and jared

you were and they're all great deal makers and they also understand the other side and they want the other side to do well because that's the sign of a great deal and they understand that and i just appreciate all of our hard work you put in and so many of your other friends and of course our great secretary of state mike allen you are it's impressive. it's very impressive. that reporter couldn't have done too good a job yesterday or to get did a good job and her actually. it's good thank you mike great very are you running

for senate i guess the answer is no after that. they all want him to kansas great state they want him to but you doing a great job don't move for. the palestinian people have grown distrustful after years of unfulfilled promises so true yet i know they are ready to escape their tragic past and realize a great test that but we must break free of yesterday's failed approaches this map will more than double the palestinian territory and provide a palestinian capital in eastern jerusalem where america will proudly open an embassy. the of. no palestinians or israelis will be uprooted from their homes. israel will work closely with a wonderful person a wonderful man the king of jordan to ensure that the status quo of the temple

mount is preserved and strong measures are taken to ensure that all muslims who wish to visit peacefully and pray at the aqua mosque will be able to do so this is a major statement this is a major import importance and at the same time our vision will deliver a massive commercial investment of 50 $1000000000.00 into the new palestinian state you have many many countries that want to partake in this and many of them are surrounding they all want this to happen virtually every one of them want this to happen and i think bibi you know that very well you can have tremendous support from your neighbors and beyond your neighbors over the next 10 years if executed well 1000000 great new palestinian jobs will be. it their poverty rate will be cut in half and their poverty rate is unacceptable now and only getting worse their g.d.p. will double and triple and much needed hope joy opportunity and prosperity will

finally arrive for the palestinian people. our vision will end this cycle of palestinian dependency upon charity and foreign aid they will be doing phenomenally all by themselves they are very very capable people thank you and thank you we will help by empowering the palestinians to thrive on their own palestinians will be able to seize the new future with dignity self-sufficiency and national pride to ensure a successful palestinian state we are asking the palestinians to meet the challenges of peaceful coexistence. to a person to emerge adopting basic laws ensuring human rights protecting against financial and political corruption

stopping the malign activities of hamas islamic jihad and other enemies of peace ending the incitement of hatred against israel so important and permanently halting the financial compensation to terrorist thank you and perhaps most importantly my vision gives the palestinians the time needed to rise up and meet the challenges of statehood i sent a letter today to president i explained to him that the territory allocated for his new state will remain open and undeveloped for

a period of 4 years during this time palestinians can use all appropriate deliberation to study the deal negotiate with israel achieve the criteria for statehood and become a truly independent and wonderful state. president abbas i want you to know that if you choose the path to peace america and many other countries will we we will be there we will be there to help you in so many different ways and we will be there every step of the way we will be there to thank you another words for the 1st time in many many decades i can say it will work it's going to work if they do this it will work your response to this historic opportunity will show the world to what extent you are ready to lead the

palestinian people to statehood the middle east is changing rapidly on my 1st trip aboard as president i traveled to saudi arabia to discuss our shared prairie's with the $54.00 leaders of the muslim and arab countries i made clear that all civilized nations share the same goals stamping out extruding as i'm creating opportunity for the region's youth and we have to take care of the region's years the region's youth is growing up with no hope we have to take care of the region's you and existing in harmony with one's neighbors since that time immense progress has been made a growing number of nations have taken strong stance against terrorism and radicalization you see it thanks to the courage of u.s. forces the isis territorial caliphate 100 percent that 95 percent not 99 or any of the percent 100 percent of the caliphate isis

is destroyed and it savage leader al baghdadi is now dead thank you. you and i want to thank we have some our great senators and congressmen and women here and i want to thank you all for the tremendous thank you very much jim ted everybody you are the leader you later thank you you're not a. great people these are great people they work so hard and they love this country the iranians regime is isolated and we can to greatly we eliminated solomon a the world. you would you

like you there as you know he was with the head of hezbollah i don't think they were up to anything good i don't think so he ran an organization called jerusalem liberation forces and used his hated total severe hatred of israel as a rallying cry to divert attention from the incompetence and shortcomings of his government they falsely promoted these centers to notion that a free jerusalem we must really be at war with israel so to have a free we have to be at war with israel and he said it very very powerfully in fact it's been in this false war that. israel really the enemies of peace have used

it they just used it as an excuse to divide and totally oppress the middle east in truth as jerusalem is liberated thala in jerusalem is a safe open democratic city that welcomes people of all faiths and all places it is time for the muslim world to fix the mistake it made in 1948 when it chose to attack instead of recognize the new state of israel to an italian into a since then the amount of needless bloodshed insists

all squandered opportunities so many squandered opportunities in the name of senseless causes is beyond measure the palestinians have been the primary pawn in this regional adventurism and it's time for this said chapter in history to end end quickly end now. it's never too late for courageous leaders to set a new course to pursue what is right to change the future only for the better america is prepared to work with all parties on our vision so many other countries are willing ready and able to work with us i've spoken to many of them i cannot believe the amount of support. this morning has i cannot believe it i have been called by leaders boris call so many called and they're all saying whatever we can

do to help they all want to see it happen. thank you to one america cannot care more about peace than the stakeholders in the region there are many muslims who never visited al aksa and many christians and jews who never visited the holy sites in the west bank describe so vividly in the bible my vision will change that our majestic biblical heritage will be able to live breathe and flourish in modern times all humanity should be able to enjoy the glories of the holy land this part of the world is forever connected to the human soul in the human spare these ancient lent should not be symbols of conflict but eternal symbols of peace thank you again for all of the work you've all done and all of these incredible honor.